An income – from burning wood

BUSINESSES in Warrington will soon be able to earn an income for using heat derived from renewable sources such as wood.
A new initiative called the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is being supported by the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Commission and the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and starts in April next year.
Across Cheshire and Warrington, many businesses are “off-grid” – meaning they don’t have access to mains gas and therefore use coal, oil or other fuels which can be expensive, may become scarce in the future and are more damaging to our environment.
The Cheshire and Warrington Off Gas Grid Study was carried out by The Mersey Forest and targeted off grid businesses, letting them know of potential opportunities for switching to biomass – naturally grown fuels like wood chips or pellets – or other lower carbon technologies.
Businesses that start to investigate low carbon technologies now can be ahead of the game when the RHI is introduced next year.
Phase 1 of the study focussed on GIS mapping of the businesses that are off the gas grid. In Phase 2 more than 2,000 were contacted. The study found that levels of awareness of RHI were worryingly low.
Aidan Manley, managing director of Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Commission said: “Above average energy use is one of the biggest issues facing our sub-region. It’s important that businesses are given as many alternatives as possible in the challenge to reduce their carbon emissions and looking at alternative energy sources is a good way of doing this.”
Nigel Blandford from the Timber and Bioenergy team at The Mersey Forest said:
“Businesses that are off the gas grid have a great opportunity to reduce their ongoing energy costs and their carbon footprint by investing now to save money in the future.”
Dan Griffiths, head of climate change at the NWDA added: “Businesses throughout the region need to adapt if our economy is to grow in a sustainable way. The NWDA’s role is to support businesses to become more sustainable and in doing so making sure that the North West secures its future economically as well as environmentally.”
More information, business case studies and a copy of the “Cheshire and Warrington Off-Gas Grid Study” can be found at www.cwea.org.uk/publications.
Businesses that would like more information about switching to biomass can contact Nigel Blandford, Timber and Bioenergy, The Mersey Forest. Email: [email protected] Tel: 07799 718 019.