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Market Share

In the UK, in 2000 only 1.3% of UK energy (excluding large hydro) came from sources of renewable energy (DTI, 2003). Of this amount, wood fuel provides around 15%.

Total Wood Fuel Resources

In the West Midlands, it is estimated by the Forestry Commission that in 2003, a total of 626,903 air dry tonnes of wood fuel is available from forestry management, arboriculture, sawmill residues, energy crops and clean recycled materials.

Regional Wood Imports

According to DEFRA, overall sustainable timber production in the West Midlands is around 230 km³ per annum, whilst the total amount of wood processed in the region amounts to some 425 km³ per annum.

Forestry Ownership in the UK

The Forestry Commission reports that there are 98,000 hectares of woodland in the UK, but only 23% is under public sector management and control.

Carbon Emissions

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over 40% of the current carbon dioxide emissions come from the power sector.

Global Warming

The DTI has reported that usage of the Thames Barrier has increased from once every two years in the 1980s to an average of six times a year over the past 5 years.

Renewable Obligation (RO)

Under the government's Renewable Obligation, launched in 2002, electricity generating companies are obliged to source 10% of all their electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and 15% by 2015.

Heating is Excluded

A market trading system of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) is in operation to help companies meet their RO targets. Heating projects reduce emissions in the same way as electricity projects, but are not currently eligible to receive ROCs.

Climate Change Levy (CCL)

To reduce industrial energy consumption, companies are charged 0.43p/kWh on top of their regular energy prices. As a renewable energy source, the use of wood fuel would exempt them from these extra costs.