Short rotation coppice as a potential source of wood biomass in Ireland will be the focus of a seminar to be held by Coford (the National Council for Forest Research & Development).
The seminar, to be opened by Irish minister of state for forestry John Browne, will feature presentations by two leading international experts, Pieter Kofman and John Gilliland, on use of short rotation coppice as woodchip for energy generation.
Coford director Dr Eugene Hendrick said forest residues and first thinnings from private sector forests represented the greatest potential source of wood biomass in Ireland. But he said willow planted on former tillage land and good quality pasture could also be developed, with harvesting on a three or four year cycle.
David Nevins, Coford chairman, said a Coford study had identified the potential of wood biomass as a source of renewable energy. He said the high price of oil and the impact of burning fossil fuels on global warming meant it made “good economic and strategic sense” to switch to renewable fuels.
The seminar, to follow a wood biomass workshop, will take place at Clonmel on September 15.
The workshop will show forest owners and foresters how they can develop a profitable and sustainable supply of woodchip from their land.
