Woodfuel consumption in Scotland 2005–8

Three surveys were done in 2004–5 to assess the use of wood for energy in Scotland. Businesses using more than 10,000 odt y−1 dominated the sector, accounting for 131 thousand odt (k odt) which was used mainly for co-firing and heat production in the wood-processing industry. Within the category using 1000–10,000 odt y−1 there were four developments using a total of 6 k odt y−1. In the smallest category 33 projects used a total of 4 k odt y−1. Of 4000 adults surveyed 4.8% used woodfuel at home. Data from a subset of users were combined with survey information to estimate domestic woodfuel usage (52 k odt y−1). The total 2004–2005 woodfuel use in Scotland was therefore estimated as 193 k odt y−1.Industrial and commercial usage was resurveyed in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Total woodfuel usage increased to 306 and 324 k odt in 2006 and 2007 due to an increase in the use of pellets for co-firing and also the number of projects in the two smaller size classes. The following year saw the commissioning of a dedicated biomass power plant, increasing use of recycled wood and decreasing use of pellets. The net effect within the industrial and commercial sector was an increase in demand to 413 k odt y−1 by spring 2008. Domestic usage was reestimated in 2007. The number of households using woodfuel was static or decreasing slightly; we estimate an annual usage of 50 k odt. Total woodfuel usage in Scotland was estimated as 463 k odt y−1 by spring 2008.