The Resource
Scotland is fortunate in having a large standing timber resource. A vibrant bioenergy sector could benefit Scotland’s forest industries and provide a “wealth of jobs across the supply chain” (Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland Biomass Energy Group report, 2005).
The biomass industry is now rapidly growing and there is also increasing demand for timber from a wide range of developments, from local markets to major energy generation plants. It is now esimated that demand for woodfuel will be around 1.5 million tonnes by 2010. The Woodfuel Task Force was set up in August 2007 to look at how to mobilise additional volumes from traditional forestry, such as forest residues, and new sources, such as arboricultural residues or Short Rotation Forestry.
The Woodfuel Task Force carried out an assessment of the potentially available resource and their report provides a best estimate of currently available material. Availability of timber will also depend on prices, harvesting and delivery costs, and other markets. Woodfuel can offer a new local market for forestry, minimising transport distances and costs, bringing woodlands which was previously uneconomic to harvest back into management. Forestry Commission Scotland is supporting the development of the biomass sector, along with other agencies but the bulk of the increased volume is likely to be in the private sector. Helping private forest growers access this potential new market is essential to develop a robust supply chain.