1. Pieter D. Kofman Wood energy consultant to COFORD
SRC in Europe
Pieter D. Kofman
Wood energy consultant to COFORD

2. General Strongly increased need for wood fuel
Existing sources are running out
Increased interest for planting SRC/SRF
Like Ireland energy companies offer long term contracts for fuel
Total area planted in 2010 ca 3000 ha

3. Denmark
Large increase in planting, now exceeding 1200 ha/yr in willow, but aim was ha over 3 yrs with €400/ha grant
Planted area >> 4500 ha
Little interest in other species like miscanthus, poplar
Harvesting machinery developed for soft terrain/ cheap harvesting

6. Sweden
Several years ago very large area (>> ha), which slowly declined to ca ha
Now increasing again
Important sales system for cuttings gone over from Lantmännen (animal feed company) to Salixenergi (specialist willow company), all SW clones

7. Germany
Plans for 10 CHP installations on SRC, at least ha needed
Little interest from farmers
Slowly picking up
Assumedly no biomass available from forests (totally wrong)
Mainly poplar, also willow

8. Netherlands
Used to be forerunner in early to mid 1900’s , but not for energy
Mainly used for waterworks, protection of dikes
Area nearly totally gone
Now little interest, land too expensive

10. Poland Large areas of willow planted
Bioremediation of soils that have been contaminated with heavy metals

11. Italy
Tradition of growing poplar in SRF, not only for energy but before mainly for paper production
Also very large harvest of coppice sweet chestnut for firewood

12. Main problems 1
Convincing farmers to grow a woody species on agricultural land
Convincing farmers to grow a perennial crop
Get farmers to treat SRC as an agricultural crop with weeding, fertilising, game control

13. Main problems 2
Solve harvesting problems, cheaper machines that can last
Solve storage problems of wet produce