Dinas - flagship biomass project leads the way on renewables


The new 550kw biomass system at the Ceredigion County Council headquarters - Pemorfa at Aberaeron - is a flagship project for the Welsh wood energy sector.

Ceredigion Council's move to cut more than half its fuel bills and provide environmental benefits opens the way for more projects in the near future, as well as establishing a base for a local wood fuel supply chain.

Wood fuel is becoming a real alternative, says the Wood Energy Business Scheme (WEBS) - the Forestry Commission Wales initiative funded by Welsh Assembly Government and European Union to promote the sustainable energy source which part financed the Penmorfa project.

Across the rest of Wales there are more than 60 systems installed, 31 already online and another 26 in the pipeline for this year - as business switches to wood fuel to cut energy bills and provide environmental benefits.

'Ceredigion has shown the way for business, reducing its costs and confirming its commitment to sustainability. It has also provided an opportunity for a local sawmill to add value to its by-products by setting up a wood fuel supply operation,' said Mike Pitcher, who heads the Aberystwyth based WEBS team.

'That supply system is a valuable addition to an infrastructure in Wales which is becoming well established, with installers and wood suppliers emerging across the whole country to meet the ever growing demand.

'And the level of interest is accelerating all the time - largely thanks to rising fuel bills, but also because people are looking for secure local sources of sustainable energy.'

The WEBS grant scheme offers 48 per cent grants on Woodfuel heating systems and Woodfuel procession equipment to small and medium size business and has two years left to run.

The grant funding for wood fuel suppliers is creating a reliable network of wood chip and pellet suppliers across Wales. It is also helping to create jobs and income in rural areas and giving small businesses the chance to diversify.

WEBS is managed by Forestry Commission Wales with Welsh Assembly Government and European Objective 1 and 2 funding.
Find out more at www.woodenergybusiness.co.uk or contact Mike Pitcher on 01970 821226.

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