Anglia Woodfuels - a case study Euroforenet Conference Sustainable Forest Management and Wood Energy: Developing Local Co-operation between Private and Municipal Forest Owners in Europe. 20 th November 2007 Mike Seville B.Sc. CLA Forestry and Woodland Advisor Anglia Woodfuels Director, Woodfuel and Forestry Advisor

Anglia Woodfuels is a wood fuel supply producer-group. Based in the East of England, the group was established as part of a local project to encourage improved management of woodlands through the development of a woodfuel market for woodland and forest produce. It was awarded a grant under Defra’s Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme a UK- wide scheme designed to encourage the production and marketing of woodfuel. The Scheme provided grants to producer groups and businesses to help the development of the supply chain required to harvest, store, process and supply certain biomass to heat, combined heat and power, and electricity end-users. The Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme’s objectives are to increase the generation of renewable energy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to contribute to sustainable development, rural job creation and agricultural diversification and increase support for the development of bio-energy infrastructure.

Aim To develop a woodfuel supply chain throughout the eastern region through a membership scheme offering a woodfuel chipping service, technical advice and support through site-visits, newsletters, a website and events.

Strategy To develop a diverse customer base. In the short and medium term, to concentrate on the production of woodfuel for use in small to medium boilers located both on the members’ own premises and on third party sites.

Proposed Outputs 1. To recruit members and provide communication to and between those members. 2.To Promote and disseminate the Group’s activities. 3. Specific marketing and sales of woodfuel, working alongside members. 4. Provision of technical advice and support, including assistance with supply chain planning & logistics development 5. Provision of training. 6. Provision of a contract woodfuel chipping.

Achievements Recruitment of ten founder members who form the board of directors. Recruitment of twenty full members. Recruitment of fourteen associate members.

Developed an association with local boiler installers. Encouraged the establishment of four woodfuel supply companies. Assisted with grant applications for boiler installation. Procured grants for boiler installation. Worked closely with Suffolk County Council Engaged with local forestry consultants and provided them with funds provide free forestry advice to landowners who become members. Worked closely with the Forestry Commission on a Woodfuel Project for the East of England using RDPE Axis 1 funds.

The Problems Insufficient start up funds. Inefficient national support for boiler installation The need to provide free advice Inability to generate income.

The Successes The beginnings of an integrated sector with a joined up fuel supply chain connected to increasingly more experienced boiler installers. A supply of quality woodchips. Happy Boiler owners. A greater confidence in woodfuel

The Future The England Woodfuel Strategy The East of England Woodfuel project GreenArc and other growth areas

The England Woodfuel Strategy

The East of England Woodfuel Project

GreenArc and Growth Area Funding

Anglia Woodfuels has demonstrated the value of co- operation between private forest owners, businesses and public municipalities and authorities. It has demonstrated the problems when support for boiler installation is disconnected from support for the supply chain. It has shown the way forward to Government. “An integrated strategy that connects the supply chain with boiler installation”

It has shown that woodland owners need to become more professional in their dealings with the market place. They need to become price makers rather than price takers. That the further down the supply chain they can take their product the greater the potential for profit. Being a heat supplier is more profitable than being a chip supplier. That local medium sized heating schemes are the most efficient and offer the best potential for sustainability.

Where the demand comes from? The demand comes from the market, the boiler owners. Financial support for boiler installation is important, but the biggest driver will be the cost of alternative fuels. The recent increases in the price of oil and gas has resulted in a lot more interest in woodfuel.

Some final thoughts The easiest solution is not the best solution. Unmanaged woodland has not been managed for a reason. Woodfuel can be cheaper than oil or gas but it is not a cheap fuel it is a sustainable fuel. Efficient delivery is everything.