23 NOVEMBER 2006 NEWS RELEASE No: 9082

Forestry Commission Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council, in partnership with the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA), are hosting a one-day seminar to explore the business opportunities from renewable heating from wood.

The seminar will take place on Friday 8 December in The Stewart’s Hall, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. During the seminar, the opportunities for woodfuel in the North East will be discussed, and opportunities for businesses and the local community highlighted. A number of key woodfuel experts have been invited to speak at the event.

Dan Gates, woodfuel information officer for Forestry Commission Scotland said:

"Huntly was one of the first places in the North East to install a modern, biomass, automated boiler, and we are hoping this event will grow a sustainable local industry. The workshop hopes to raise awareness of the benefits of woodfuel to local businesses and the community, and will examine how we can take forward the collective interest in developing a vibrant local industry. We already have more than 80 people attending, and many have local booked accommodation.

"Woodfuel is a local, renewable source of energy whether for an individual house or generating energy for a whole community. A network of suppliers including foresters, farmers, sawmills and estates is diversifying into woodfuel supply, creating a new source of income for rural areas.

"A local market for clean, green heat is now a viable option to save you money and provide local jobs. Whether you are a potential supplier looking to start up a business or someone with a large energy bill looking for affordable heat, you should come along. We will also present details of the Scottish Executive’s new £7.5 million Biomass Support Scheme."

The seminar runs from 8.30am until 4pm. Places must be booked in advance and the event is free. There will be site visits to Forestry Commission Scotland's office in Huntly to see a woodchip boiler, a pellet stove and boiler, and a woodchipping demonstration.

For further information on the seminar, or to book a place, please contact Dan Gates on 01738 450793 or email dan.gates@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors:
Woodfuel experts speaking at the event are as follows:
- Steve Luker, Steve Luker Associates - commercial opportunities for wood energy
- Barrie Hudson, Hudson Consulting - wood fuel supply issues
- Bryan Harper, Harper Contracts Ltd - supply perspective from the North East
- Ewan Bent, Marches Wood Energy Network Ltd - emerging opportunities in the heat market
- Billy Bodles, Highland Birchwoods - pellet power, the north sea bioenergy project
- Roddy Mathieson, Renewables Champion - Aberdeenshire Council - biomass projects - the North East perspective
- Andrew Nicol, DWP Harvesting - successful development of woodfuel supply chain
- Dan Gates, Forestry Commission Scotland - planning and installing biomass systems
- Kevin Christie, SCARF - grants and advice.

Media enquiries to:
Claire Martin, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, tel: 0131 3146506.