Nicol Stephen, Scotland’s deputy first minister, commented on the plan while officially opening a woodchip biomass boiler system in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. The project aims to save an estimated 15,000 tons of CO2 in the next 25 years. The Aboyne project was supported by a GBP100,000 grant from the Executive’s Scottish community and householder renewables initiative, and is expected to greatly benefit the local community.
Mr Stephen said that, while the Executive had pledged money to a number of renewables projects, including more than GBP13 million for marine energy projects in February 2007, biomass should not be overlooked.
The extra GBP3 million for the biomass support scheme brings the total value of the grant scheme to GBP10.5 million.
It is vital that we support those renewable technologies yet to establish a significant foothold in Scotland – like biomass. Demand for a share of our biomass support scheme has been so high that I have added additional funding of GBP3 million. I want many more innovative projects to benefit, Mr Stephen said.
I believe this plan is an important step towards realizing our biomass potential for electricity, heat and transport. I am determined that biomass will play a full part in Scotland’s drive for green energy.
Sarah Boyack, Scotland’s forestry minister, added that the Scottish forestry commission is currently working with the Executive and industry stakeholders to work out the best way to cater for the growing demand for biomass.
The Scottish biomass support scheme was opened for expressions of interest in November 2006, with initial funding of GBP7.5 million. The Executive commented that the full list of successful bidders will be announced in due course.
