A Woodfuel Development Programme for the west of Scotland has been launched by Forestry Commission Scotland.
It aims to promote the use of wood as a sustainable clean source of heat and power and bring together clusters of suppliers and customers to use Scotland’s increasing output of wood to generate clean heat and power.
Leading the project is woodfuel information officer Trevor Blackburn. He said: “If we can get woodland and sawmill owners to commit to supplying wood fuel, this will give potential customers the confidence to install boilers in the knowledge that they will have a reliable fuel supply.
“Conversely, if we can get potential customers to commit to installing boilers and buying wood fuel, this helps to give potential suppliers the confidence to invest in the equipment they need to supply it.”
He said the trick would be to achieve both aims in the same areas at the same time, and then help suppliers and customers to tap into grants available for helping develop the use of renewable, carbon-neutral fuel.
