wood chip biomass
sustainable energy solutions

"Climate change is a reality and using woodfuel will help reduce our reliance on burning fossil fuels. New markets for woodfuel will help to create and maintain rural jobs as well as contribute to the sustainable management of our woodlands”

Rt Hon Ben Bradshaw MP, DEFRA

It is generally agreed that climate change has been brought about by a massive rise in the last 200 years in the presence of so-called greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. And much of this rise can be attributed to man’s need to burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). Change is needed to restore the delicate balance of the Earth’s atmosphere.

So why wood? In their lifetime trees absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Burning wood means that the CO₂ released is being absorbed at the same rate by plants and other carbon-fixing organisms. In the right situation wood fuel is among the greenest of renewable energy sources.

So what are the benefits of wood chip fuel?

• Wood chip is sustainable and versatile, and provides an outstanding alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
• Wood chip is a low/neutral carbon fuel and helps to reduce the carbon footprint.
• Wood chip fuel also helps to reduce the levels of pollution created from acid deposition. Acid rain is associated with fossil fuels; by burning wood chip fuel nitrogen emissions are reduced to harmless nitrogen gases.
• Commercial and domestic boilers are very efficient and cleaner generators of energy.
• Using wood chip reduces fuel/energy bills; for many users, their energy bills could be reduced by as much as 50%.
• Using wood chip fuel encourages and increases management of redundant woodland and has a beneficial effect on the natural biodiversity of forests and woodland areas throughout the country.