A new £1.4m initiative to help communities and businesses understand the economic and environmental benefits of using biomass as a source of renewable energy could transform the way Scotland uses this untapped resource.
Forestry Commission Scotland has established a ‘Regional Biomass Advice Network’ (RBAN) to advise and inform businesses, farmers and landowners on woodfuel systems, grant funding and supply chain development.
RBAN’s five information officers offer one-to one advice as well as seminars and workshops, including sessions aimed at planners, architects and designers.
Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, announced the initiative during a visit to a Forestry Commission Scotland site at East Grange, Fife, where research is being carried out into alternative woodfuel crops.
Ms Cunningham said:
“Over the last few years the biomass market has developed rapidly and woodfuel use has increased dramatically – but there is still significant potential to develop this sector further.
“Sustainable management of our woodfuel resource will bring a number of benefits. It will create more rural businesses and jobs, provide secure energy supplies and reduce heating costs and will also help to reduce carbon emissions.
“All of these are key elements in the Scottish Government’s drive to make Scotland a greener, fairer, wealthier society."
RBAN has been established in partnership with the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Forest Research’s Biomass Energy Centre and Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership. Backed by ERDF funding, it co-ordinates funding from all the partner organisations to ensure best value for money.
Sustained and sustainably managed development of the biomass sector is crucial to helping meet the Scottish Government’s renewable heat targets. The RBAN officers will initiate and support actions that have been identified by stakeholders – such as the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland and the Wood Fuel Task Force - as key to increasing the level of biomass uptake. They have recently helped form a forum for trade associations associated with woodfuel supply to promote co-operation in the industry.
As well as supporting the development of the supply chain network, RBAN will also work towards establishing and implementing industry standards to develop a strong, sustainable and reliable fuel supply.
A further key priority is to gather data and develop guidance for landowners and suppliers on how to tap into underused resources such as small, neglected woodlands and arboricultural arisings.
RBAN will also disseminate data from Forestry Commission Scotland’s Energy Forestry trial sites - a major research programme to gather data on the economics and sustainability of growing the woodfuel resource for the future.
For more information about woodfuel – including seminars and officer contact details - visit www.usewoodfuel.co.uk
NOTES
1) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate and manages the 667,000 hectare national forest estate. Climate change is the biggest threat facing the planet and Scottish forestry is playing its part in helping tackle climate change. With trees naturally locking up carbon, they have a significant role in reducing the affects of climate change. The use of wood as a fuel will also help reduce harmful greenhouse emissions and the Commission is working hard to promote woodfuel developments across the country. Forestry Commission Scotland is continuing to protect, manage and expand Scotland’s forests and woodlands in a way which helps in the fight against climate change. www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland
2) The RBAN was established in response to a Wood Fuel Task Force recommendation to increase and co-ordinate woodfuel and biomass promotional activities. It also aims to disseminate the latest research findings to stakeholders, scope areas for development such as waste biomass and under-managed woodlands.
3) The Scottish Government will shortly publish its Renewables Action Plan which will include a Bioenergy Route Map, closely linked to the associated Renewable Heat Map. Ongoing development of the biomass market is a key component in delivering the targets set out in the Plan, particularly for renewable heat.
Media Enquiries
Paul Munro, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, 0131 314 6507