The bio-energy industry in Scotland -
Rising prices and dwindling fossil fuel resources have stimulated interest in bio-energy, the use of organic material to generate power. Scotland is particularly blessed in terms of bio-energy resources, which opens up many new research and business opportunities for Scottish companies.
Developing bio-energy in Scotland
Bio-energy refers to the production of energy from commercial energy conversion plants fuelled by specially grown energy crops or the use of farm, forestry or processing residues (including straw, animal manure, wood residues, etc) and gas from landfill sites.
A number of Scottish Universities are engaged in novel research and development work to enhance the cost-effective production of bioenergy whilst minimising environmental impacts. Scotland is also well placed to take advantage of expertise developed within the landfill/waste management industry
Bio-energy potential in Scotland
As well as being home to a huge amount of bio-energy sources, Scotland can offer world-leading technology to convert these raw materials to energy more efficiently. Legislation is driving demand for bio-energy, and Scottish companies can offer world-leading technology to help improve production.
- 60% of the UK’s forestry resource can be found in Scotland.
- Production of timber in Scotland is expected to double over the next 15 years as mature forests become available for harvesting.
- Large tracts of rural agricultural land are available for growing energy crops.
- From 2008, 3% of all road fuels will be required to come from biofuels, a figure that will increase to 5.4% by 2010.
- Bio-energy is increasingly seen as a means of large energy users protecting themselves from the volatility of the global energy price market.
- 50% of Scottish energy must be generated through renewable means by 2020.
- Legislation to dramatically reduce the amount of Scottish landfill is stimulating interest in using biomass wastes for energy production
Investing in bio-energy in Scotland
Scotland’s abundance of natural resources has created numerous opportunities for anyone looking to invest in the bio-energy industry.
- Electricity and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) can be produced from biomass thanks to the huge forest resource in Scotland.
- There is the potential to create a wood pellet biomass manufacturer and supply chain, particularly in rural areas where there is no gas grid supply.
- Scottish firms offer world-leading technologies that can assist companies with reducing costs and improving efficiency.
- Opportunities to use a wide variety of energy from waste technologies to create local sources of combined heat and power
Scottish Development International actively supports the bio-energy sector and works to attract energy business investment in Scotland. Contact SDI to find out the services we can offer companies who are hoping to invest in the bio-energy industry in Scotland.