Renewables and bio-energy

 

Supporting the use of renewable energy sources

As part of its strategy for improving sustainability and reducing the impact of climate change, the UK Government supports the use of renewable energy sources for generating electricity and heat.

The Scottish Government has set an ambitious target of 50% electricity generation from renewables by 2020 and is developing an action plan for promoting renewable heat (see www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/19185).

Bio-energy sources such as wood, residues from harvesting of forests and sawmill co-products are carbon neutral over their life cycle and have the potential to make a significant contribution to renewable energy, climate change and rural employment. 

How Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is involved

We support the creation of a vibrant, viable and expanding bio-energy sector:

• We lead the Wood Fuel Task Force, set up by Mike Russell, Environment Minister in July 2007 with the aim of increasing the supply of wood for renewable energy production.
• We have worked with the Scottish Government to deliver the £7.5 million Scottish Biomass Support Scheme, which has funded over 60 projects to install biomass heating and set up supply chains.
• We developed the Biomass Action Plan for Scotland (PDF 1.6Mb) with the Scottish Government and are part of the Cross-Government Group on Bioenergy.
• We already supply substantial volumes to the biomass industry and have identified additional volumes suitable for biomass to tender on the open market (See more information on current tenders).
• A dedicated website UseWoodfuel (www.usewoodfuel.co.uk) has information using woodfuel in many different types of situation, from heating the home to developing a large-scale energy plant.
• We have also provided advice to the Scottish Government on windfarm projects that impact on forest habitats.

Some of the key activities regarding bio-energy are:

• Expanding the woodfuel information officer network 
• We work closely with other agencies and organisations across Scotland to develop the biomass industry, as well as liaising with Forestry Commission colleagues across GB.  Contact details are on the www.usewoodfuel.co.uk website.
• Liaison with the National Farmers' Union to help promote bio-mass as a fuel within the farming community.

Developing supply

Development of the supply chain is an important part of encouraging the woodfuel industry.  The Scottish Government has welcomed the Wood Fuel Task Force report and its recommendations to increase the available resource for bioenergy use.  New businesses are being set up to supply biomass at all scales, and a list of suppliers is available on the www.usewoodfuel.co.uk website.

Support for renewables & bioenergy

There is a range of measure to support bioenergy from expanding the resource to installing woodfuel systems:

• Grants are available under the new Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) (www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp) for woodland creation and management, as well as for the establishment of Short Rotation Coppice. Other options available include measures to help farm and forestry businesses, rural micro-enterprises and communities install renewable energy systems or set up supply chains.
• The Scottish Community & Housholders Renewables Initiatives (SCHRI) (www.est.org.uk/schri) provides funding for community and household renewables.
• The Low Carbon Buildings Programme (www.lowcarbonbuildings.co.uk) also provides funding for community and household renewables.