Aims and Objectives

Woodfuel East is working to  facilitate an increase in heat energy production of 250 giga watt hours per annum (45 mega watt capacity) through efficient woodfuel boiler installations and build capacity in the East of England's woodfuel supply chain. Investment will be required to improve access for woodland management, harvesting and processing machinery, storage and drying facilities for the production of woodfuel. The focus will be on the production of  woodchip from roundwood (virgin wood) obtained from region's existing woodlands. 

A wide-ranging and authoritative programme of awareness raising, promotion and facilitation will back up the Strategic Investment Support Programme. Woodfuel East will work in partnership with existing service providers and organisations, and seek to build sustainable capacity within the sector.

Woodfuel East's objective is to stimulate an additional 110,000 green tonnes of biomass per annum from 15,000 ha of unmanaged or undermanaged woodland by 2013. This is an increase of at least 50% on the region’s current total wood production. Achieving such an increase in timber supply would, assuming average conditions, lead to the savings of at least 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year from 2013.

The reintroduction of thinning or coppicing regimes will increase structural diversity and light penetration in the woodlands and provide increased opportunities for plant and animals (biodiversity).