A number of key actions to boost the use of biomass for renewable energy in Scotland have been announced today (Friday 9 May) by Environment Minister, Michael Russell, as he visited the Boiler House site, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, to view a new biomass boiler funded by the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme.

Twenty five actions have been agreed by the Government in response to recommendations in a report by the woodfuel task force. The task force was launched in June 2007 with the aim of increasing the supply of wood for renewable energy production. The task force was challenged by the Minister to find ways to boost the biomass sector, which will increase rural employment and help tackle climate change.

Led by Forestry Commission Scotland, the task force comprises representatives from the renewable energy, wood processing and land management sectors. The report - 'Increasing the supply of wood for renewable energy production in Scotland' - will play a major part in helping the Scottish Government to achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets.

Announcing the woodfuel task force recommendations and viewing the new biomass boiler at the Crichton Infirmary, Environment Minister, Michael Russell said:

"The task force is part of the Scottish Government's commitment to play a role in tackling climate change and the recommendations will form a valuable part of the approaches we are taking towards addressing this critical issue.

"Biomass has the potential to deliver a wide range of benefits and the report contains innovative and sensible recommendations which will help to turn the potential of biomass as a new form of renewable energy into reality. I have been particularly pleased by the way that industry has come together to work on this report - and the outcomes demonstrate why cross industry working can achieve good results.

"I am pleased today to view the biomass boiler here in Dumfries, which has been supported by the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme. This is the first biomass boiler to be installed in an NHS hospital in Scotland, and will make a real contribution, not only to reducing costs, but also to helping the NHS deliver real carbon savings in their operations.”

Some of the key recommendations are:

• Forestry Commission Scotland will set up a series of demonstration sites across Scotland to promote bioenergy best practise and gain new knowledge. Research from these sites will be communicated to the industry on a regular basis
• Development of a branch wood and brash recovery grant to help to encourage growers to bring this material to market, and to do more thinning in their forests and woodlands
• Improving knowledge about, and handling of, biomass in the waste streams to ensure that as much as possible is used for bioenergy
• The development of a life cycle assessment model to enable the calculation of carbon benefits and disadvantages from the various biomass growing or utilisation options
• Developing appropriate infrastructure to utilise arboriculture arisings as a wood fuel and avoid the material entering the waste stream

NHS Dumfries and Galloway are the first NHS hospital in Scotland to install a biomass boiler with funding of £310,753 from the Scottish Government's Scottish Biomass Support Scheme. It will provide heat to both the Crichton Royal Hospital and Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary sites, and has been installed by Woodenergy Ltd, with site, civil and mechanical and engineering works carried out by local firms.

The woodfuel system will generate substantial revenue savings for the NHS and carbon savings of around 2,375 tCO2 pa. Fuel is being supplied by Buccleuch Natural Fuels Limited from local woodlands, with the supply facility based at the Queensberry Estate, Thornhill.

John Ross, Chairman:

"As Chairman of Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board, I am delighted to welcome the Environment Minister to view at first hand our new Biomass Boiler unit, the first such boiler to be installed at a hospital in Scotland. As a Board we have demonstrated by this investment, our ongoing commitment to the environment and to reducing our carbon footprint."

The project has potential to support the development of a local woodfuel supply chain, transform the local market and to sustain or create 10 to 15 jobs in the local community.

For a copy of the woodfuel task force report visit http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7apfxa

Notes to editors:
1. In August 2007, the woodfuel task force was challenged to determine the sources of available biomass material from: established forests; neglected woodlands; short rotation coppice; arboricultural and landscaping activities; and recycled and waste wood. The task force will also advise on the impact of market price on supply from these sources to woodfuel users and other processing sectors. For each of these areas, the task force will investigate potential barriers to accessing the sources of woody materials and propose solutions, as well as determining the likely wood resource available.
2. The woodfuel task force consists of:
Simon Hodge, Chair, Forestry Commission Scotland
Roger Coppock, Secretary, Forestry Commission Scotland
Jamie Farquhar, ConFor
David Sulman, UKFPA
Jonathan Hall, NFU Scotland
Keith Arbuthnott, SRPBA
Jason Ormiston, Scottish Renewables
Peter Whitfield, UPM Tilhill
Andy Wiseman, Buccleuch Estates
Richard Palmer, A W Jenkinson
Willie McGhee, Greenergy Bioenergy Ltd
Les Bryson, FES
Sue Kearns, ETLLD
Julian Bell, SAC
John Ferguson, SEPA
John Risby, Forestry Commission Scotland
Rob Pedersen, Dundee City Council
Bruce Laird, Scottish Biofuels
George Webb, Norbord Ltd
Ron Vass, SEERAD
Simon Stockwell, Waste Strategy, SEERAD
3) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government's forestry department. For more information log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/aboutfcs

Media Enquiries to:
Claire Martin, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, tel: 0131 314 6506 or 07810853508.