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Woodfuel production and supply

Setting up a Woodfuel Supply Chain

If you are considering setting up a woodfuel supply business a range of advice and support is available:

Business Services

The Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland (Tel: 0845 609 6611)

SAC provides a wide range of support for farm businesses. Contact details for your local farm business services office can be found on the SAC website.

FCS Usewoodfuel Officers can provide specialist advice and support on setting up a woodfuel supply chain,

Capital Grants

The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) provides grants for the purchase of supply chain or specialist equipment to harvest and process woodchip or pellets.

For details of the scheme and to access the application forms please go to the Scottish Government website or contact your local Biomass Development Officer for assistance.

Funding is also available under the Links Between Activities Developing the Rural Economy (LEADER) programme. LEADER is aimed at local projects with a wide community benefit that show an element of originality or experimentation where possible, and complement other activities within the local development strategy.

Growing wood for energy

Grants for establishment and management forestry and energy crops are available under the SRDP Rural Priorities  SRDP funding is available for:

  • Initial planting payment
  • Community Woodland Contribution
  • Deer and Rabbit Fencing
  • Farmland Premium
  • Maintenance
  • Gates

Listed below are some useful links.

Scottish Government SRDP Website

LEADER

Forestry Commission Scotland

Biomass Energy Centre

Scottish Enterprise

SAC Consulting

Renewable Heat Incentive

The Renewable Heat Incentive is due to be implemented in June 2011. It will introduce a payment for renewable heat generation, providing a major boost to the woodfuel sector.  The RHI could be worth up to £250M to Scotland. It is estimated the RHI will contribute towards a ten fold increase in the renewable heat sector over the next 10 years.