Statkraft biomass hub delivers first shipment of woodchips

Statkraft, a European renewable energy generator, has shipped over 3,000 tonnes of woodchips to a customer in Denmark.

The consignment is the first woodchip cargo to be shipped from Statkraft's new biomass trading hub which opened in August at the site of the former Södra Cell paper mill, located south of Oslo, Norway, at Tofte.

Statkraft is processing round wood to energy chips at the site with moisture content close to 30%, representing an excellent energy source with pioneering sustainability credentials.

Christopher Moore, head of biomass trading and origination for Statkraft, says: 'There is significant annual growth of the demand in the Scandinavian woodchip market forecast for the next few years and Statkraft has responded by creating a new product that is tailor-made for these customers.

'The biomass is sourced from sustainably managed forests which are certified in accordance with PEFC standards and we expect to be SBP certified by the end of the year. In addition, we can help other companies with their woodchip logistics optimisation.'

Statkraft aims for an annual throughput of 500,000 tonnes of handled biomass materials to service the European energy market.

The biomass hub at Tofte represents a deepwater and short sea vessel ice-free berth capacity and its strategic location is perfectly suited for sustainable biomass products.

The terminal offers multiple vessel berths, with fast loading facilities operating 24/7, ensuring a quick turnaround of vessels and enabling customers to accelerate their supply chains to receive their products on a just-in-time basis.

Tofte has sufficient storage capacity for 100,000 tonnes of round wood logs and 50,000 tonnes of woodchips, as well as offering covered storage for wood pellets on site at the same time. Supplies to Tofte of biomass material are being received by road and sea.

Statkraft's future plans for Tofte include the expansion into the biofuel sector with the implementation of a production facility in partnership with SödraCell.