Putting local woodfuel on the map!

The search for locally produced wood chips and pellets just got easier thanks to a new map-based list of fuel suppliers launched today.

The Biomass Energy Centre - an independent advisory service, managed by the Forestry Commission - that provides information and guidance on producing and using biomass fuels today (5 June) launches its Woodfuel Suppliers list for England.

Angela Duignan, Head of Woodfuel Implementation for Forestry Commssion England, said:

"People considering woodfuel to provide heat and hot water tell us that their number one concern is securing a reliable, local supply of fuel. This new tool allows users to find local suppliers and reduce their fuel miles making woodfuel an even greener choice.

"The beauty of woodfuel is that it is a local, renewable resource that can also reduce energy costs, especially for businesses and community organisations in rural areas not connected to the gas network. We describe woodfuel as a carbon lean fuel because although burning wood releases carbon dioxide, this is balanced by the carbon dioxide absorbed in the original growth of the trees."

The wide range of benefits that using wood for fuel can bring are key to the Forestry Commission’s Woodfuel Strategy for England. At its heart is the ambition to use two million tonnes of timber for wood fuel each year by 2020 by bringing woods back into management. Building on the long history of using wood for fuel, clean and efficient wood fuel boilers, that burn wood, are becoming more popular in the UK. These are efficient, easy to operate and provide a market for a local, renewable resources and can save money on fuel bills.

The Biomass Energy Centre, working with the Forestry Commission’s regional Woodfuel officers has compiled the database of woodfuel suppliers for each English region. If you are a woodfuel supplier and would like to be included on the list please complete a registration form at www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk

For more information see www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk and www.forestry.gov.uk/england-woodfuel

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NOTES TO EDITOR

1. Forestry Commission England is the Government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive woodlands. For more information see: www.forestry.gov.uk/england
   
   
2. Using wood from well-managed woods provides a renewable source of fuel as well as giving woodland owners an incentive to manage their land productively. The untapped resource locked up in English woodlands is huge - currently 60% of the annual increment remains unharvested. This is neither economically or ecologically beneficial as there is strong evidence that woodland management allows more light to reach the forest floor reversing the decline of a variety of woodland plant and animal species.
   
   Although burning wood releases carbon dioxide, this is balanced by the carbon dioxide absorbed in the original growth of the trees and in the growth of new ones. It can be viewed as a form of stored solar energy captured by trees as they grow.
   
   
3. Media contact:
   Stuart Burgess
   Senior Press Officer
   01223 346027
   stuart.burgess@forestry.gsi.gov.uk