Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing discussed timber industry concerns over power generation from biomass on a visit to BSW’s remodelled Dalbeattie sawmill.
Dalbeattie has been the focus of a £7m investment programme, which included the installation of the latest planer and grader line technology and increased output to 350,000m³ a year.
Mr Ewing was accompanied by Dumfries and Galloway MP Alex Ferguson and held discussions with BSW chairman Martin Gale and public affairs director Hamish Macleod.
“One point we made was that our increased sustainable use of home-grown timber was dependent on woodland expansion across Scotland,” said Mr Gale.
Mr Ewing congratulated BSW on its achievement at Dalbeattie and acknowledged the need to develop the Scottish timber resource.
“The government is also aware of challenges and opportunities from the biomass-based energy market and will consider impacts on the sector in its review of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland),” he said.
