Extracts from the Sept-October 2001 edition of Renew
These extracts only represent about 25% of it

10. UK Energy Crops

progress still slow

The energy crops programme, of which much was expected, continues to develop very slowly, as Chris Pym reports.

SRC Planting Grants

There were thirty-seven grant applications for the first year of planting (2001 planting) in England (other arrangement apply elsewhere). However, most of these did not proceed for various reasons, but about fifteen did proceed such that about 250 hectares of short-rotation coppice (SRC) were planted this spring. The official figures have not yet been published, but they should broadly confirm the figures mentioned above.

For Year Two (2002 planting), twelve applications have been received by DEFRA so far. The Year Two grant application deadline was 30th June 2001, but this has been extended because of the problems caused by foot-&-mouth. It is anticipated that at least another 200+ hectares will be funded for Year Two planting.

This slow start raises several concerns. First, the target of the DEFRA (ex-MAFF) scheme was to get 22,000 hectares planted soon - not much chance of that. Second, the Treasury is trying to claw back the unspent Year One balance of available funds. Negotiation is taking place to allow these funds to be carried forward.

NFFO 3 Projects

The flagship NFFO 3 ARBRE project at Eggborough is still not fully commissioned. There is a technology problem - getting the turbines to work! The railhead building idea has been dropped. Forest residues from Sherwood Forest and elsewhere are being brought to Eggborough by road as ready-to-use chips.

Residues are also on offer from Kielder and Thetford, but these sources are more distant. Although ARBRE is not up and running, the number of local enquiries from would-be growers of SRC has quadrupled, including several from large landowners in Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

Ambient's planning-approved project at Eye should start construction this year with a view to going live in 2003. This would be nine years since the original NFFO 3 contract was awarded. Ambient’s NFFO 3 project at Cricklade went to planning appeal this spring. The inspector has not yet given his verdict.

The prospects for SRC

The prospects for SRC still look poor. The three NFFO 3 projects offer, or will offer, subsidised security to growers but apart from those markets would any farmer in a right state of mind decide to plant SRC now? This time last year developers were researching likely brownfield sites to construct power stations or CHP plants within an easy radius of wood fuel resources. That activity appears to have stopped because of the absence of viable markets now and in the future.

Regional and national plans for power generation rely on energy crops to achieve targets. This source of bioenergy has been talked up by ministers and senior civil servants in successive governments, so what happens next? There are two positive things to report. First, the earmarked biofuels use of the New Opportunities Fund, details not yet decided, may offer something. Second, it seems that the DTI is going to embark on an energy crops charm offensive. Lets hope it works!