We are working in Wales to kickstart the woodfuel industry. The Wood Energy Business Scheme (WEBS) is a £6 million grant scheme, running from 2004 to 2008.
We offer capital grant support to three types of project:
- Woodfuel heating systems
- Woodfuel processing businesses
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, these are small-scale electricity producers
Half of the funding comes from the European government and half from the Welsh Assembly Government. We operate in West Wales, Powys and the Valleys.
To date we have approved 80 schemes. These include industrial applications, using timber offcuts in factory units and woodchip systems in public buildings, such as Porthmadog hospital. We’ve also assisted hotels and bed and breakfast providers to install wood energy heating and even a pub!
There are many advantages for promoting woodfuel: some are environmental and some economic. Plenty of woodlands in Wales are under managed, so the raw material (low grade timber and sawmill by-product) is easy to source.
We want to keep the industry local – matching suppliers and processors with nearby end-users. This keeps transport distances short, therefore shrinking the carbon footprint.
Woodfuel is a renewable energy, so when buildings use electricity and heat from wood, they are displacing energy from fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Burning wood from sustainably managed forests is much better for the environment as trees are replanted and absorb carbon dioxide.
The future
We are proud of our achievements. WEBS has enabled new installation and fuel-supply businesses to set up. We are creating supply-chains for the fuel and building confidence in the technology. The level of interest is great – and still growing.
We’d like to extend the program beyond 2008. There is great potential to keep expanding the use of woodfuel technology in Wales. Our ambition is to support the woodfuel industry in Wales to its fullest potential.
Links to supporting material
Wood Energy Business Scheme website