Woodchip demand may rise as subsidy cuts loom

摘要

A surge in applications to build bio-mass boiler installations under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) could significantly increase wood-chip demand over the next year, potentially creating opportunities for landowners with timber to sell.At present, about 350,000t of chip and pellet goes into the UK heating sector.This could grow to 500,000t-600,000t in 12 months if all proposed RHI applications for medium- to larger-scale biomass plants (200kW-O.5MW capacity) are built, says David Turley, National Non-Food Crops Centre's lead consultant for bio-based feedstock.