Potential for biofuel development in Tihvin and Boksitogorsk districts of the Leningrad region — The analysis of energy wood supply systems and costs

The existing and potential energy wood supply systems have been compared in terms of cost efficiency in Tihvin and Boksitogorsk districts of the Leningrad region to find optimal supply systems. In most cases the supply systems based on the cut-to-length method have the highest cost efficiency and provides costs of energy wood between 18.8 and 25.8 € m− 3. For commercial thinnings the supply systems with manual felling are the most cost effective. In final fellings bigger average stem volume allows more productive use of harvesters that provides lower costs than systems with manual cutting. The total supply cost of energy wood from thinnings is higher compared to final fellings. Costs of energy wood cannot compete with the local price of coal and natural gas. However, energy wood is cheaper than heavy oil if transporting distances are shorter than 50 km. Main reasons for high supply costs of energy wood are low productivity of felling, hauling and transportation. Cost efficiency of energy wood supply can be improved through learning process and the use of modern machines.