The huge potential of reusing waste
wood as fuel is being wasted, Environment Minister has
warned.
The
significant carbon and energy benefits of recovering energy from
waste wood are detailed in a new information report on the sector
that surveys the activities of producers, aggregators and users
of waste wood.
Recycling and energy markets for clean, virgin wood have been
growing in recent years; however waste wood has been a largely
overlooked resource. Currently up to 10 million tonnes of waste
wood is being produced in the UK each year, most of which goes to
landfill.
, Minister for Climate
Change and Waste, said:
"It
has been estimated that recovering energy from 2 million tonnes
of waste wood could generate 2600GWh electricity and save 1.15
million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, with
greater benefits available by recovering heat as well as power.
This is a huge potential resource that is being wasted."
With
the majority of waste wood arisings being contaminated, the key
to realising this potential is more, geographically dispersed,
Waste Incineration Directive compliant combustion facilities
delivering both energy and heat recovery.
The
publication of the Waste Wood Information Report fits well with
the intended convergence of energy and waste policy by creating
greater awareness of this substantial, indigenous and largely
untapped biomass resource available in municipal, construction
and demolition and commercial and industrial waste streams. This
coincides with the banding of the Renewables Obligation which
will significantly increase support for electricity generated
from biomass and combined heat and power (CHP).
Notes
to Editors
Further information is available at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/woodwaste.htm
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/woodwaste.htm
The carbon and energy benefits from waste wood
have been highlighted in a number of recent publications,
including the Waste Strategy for England 2007, the UK Biomass
Strategy and the Energy White Paper.
