Biomass News

Rhenus Forest Logistics, a specialist in transporting and trading in sawmill residue, waste wood and other biomass, has acquired Kruger, a regional wood logistics services provider. The purchase agreement, made on 1 March, includes the takeover of all Kruger employees and its vehicle fleet. They will work from a new operating site called Rhenus Forest Ellwangen. The Kruger family opted to…
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In light of the recent outbreak of Covid-19 (coronavirus), the Bioenergy Insight team is thinking of all those affected by the virus. We understand that along with the impact on health, the virus is also causing major issues for industries and businesses. We want to update our readers and advertisers on the plans for Bioenergy Insight distribution over the next few months. Firstly, please…
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Onega-Energy JSC, the energy asset of Russia-based Segezha Forest Industry Group  (Segezha Group), has launched a fourth bark and wood by-product fuelled energy boiler. The new biomass boiler will have an output capacity of 14MW and has almost completed the process of replacing inefficient sources of heat supply at Onega-Energy JSC, such as coal. The latest project at Onega-Energy JSC…
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Drax has received and unloaded the largest shipment of biomass to arrive at the Port of Immingham, in the UK's Humber region. The Zheng Zhi bulk carrier vessel transported 63,907 tonnes of Drax's biomass from the US port of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. The delivery will supply Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire with enough fuel to generate electricity for 1.3 million homes. The vessel…
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Brazilian firm IBS Energy Group has signed an agreement with Power China to build a biomass-fired thermoelectric plant in Brazil. The estimated investment in the new facility is R $600 million (€109 million), covering the complete installation of the plant and obtaining the necessary biomass - predominantly from eucalyptus planted forests. The agreement was made through group company…
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Spanish electricity firm Greenalia’s first biomass plant has started operations following a 19-month construction phase. The 50 MW-capacity plant, located in Curtis-Teixeiro near A Coruna, is described by Greenalia as “the most technologically advanced plant in Spain” and cost €135 million. It is hoped the facility, which utilises forestry residues, will supply around 250,000 people in…
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New UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his first budget on 11 March, outlining funding for several green initiatives. One of the key announcements made in the budget was the extension of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), a move welcomed by the campaign group Biomass Heat Works!. The RHI scheme had been due to end in 2021, with many in the bioenergy sector wondering what, if anything,…
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Specialist UK energy supplier Opus Energy has launched a 100% renewable energy tariff for small and medium-sized (SME) businesses utilising biomass energy. Opus Energy’s growing commitment to sustainability comes after its parent company, Drax Group, announced its ambition to become carbon-negative by 2030, in line with the UK Government’s carbon targets. The new tariff, called Opus…
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US-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has teamed up with Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) to purchase 17 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from its mill in Mount Vernon, Washington. The move to invest in biomass energy marks PSE’s continued commitment to the environment and deep decarbonisation. PSE will work with SPI to use 17MW of energy produced at the company’s co-generation plant at its…
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Spanish energy, infrastructure and telecommunications firm Elecnor has been awarded an €86 million contract to build a combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Ghent, Belgium. The CHP plant is promoted by the Gentse Warmte Centrale (GWC), a society set up for this project by Belgian Eco Energy (BEE) – a Belgian energy firm specialising in the production and supply of locally-generated…
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Drax will stop using coal in 2021, ahead of the UK’s 2025 deadline. After almost 50 years of coal-fired electricity generation, Drax Power Station has committed to ending the use of coal in March 2021, marking a major milestone in the company’s ambition to become carbon-negative by 2030. The company’s decision follows a comprehensive review of its operations. Although Drax does not…
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Scottish waste recycler NWH Group has acquired Armstrong Waste Management – the waste management division of the Armstrong Group. NWH Group, which serves Scotland and Newcastle via 10 sites, turns the waste it collects into products such as cardboard, paper, biomass for energy, washed sands and animal bedding. The company last expanded when it acquired the waste wood division of Dundee-based…
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Greencoat Capital has launched a new closed-ended private markets fund, Greencoat Renewable Income (GRI), for investments in bioenergy, wind, solar and renewable heat. The firm has secured £277 million (€333 million) of commitments from UK pension investors Brunel and the Trustee of the Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London (SAUL). GRI offers institutional investors the…
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Biogas Marrum, a Dutch company owned by HoSt, has received the internationally-recognised Better Biomass sustainability certificate. The certificate (NTA 8080) confirms the sustainable origin of the renewable gas produced by the firm, with a carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction of 94.4%. It is issued to companies that produce, trade or process sustainable biomass following the set…
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