Biomass News

UK-based Active Energy Group (AEG) has acquired 100% of the control and ownership of the sawmill and log export activities at AEG's industrial site in Lumberton, North Carolina, US. The project was previously operated through a joint venture with Renewable Logistics Systems (RLS). According to AEG, the reason behind this acquisition is to improve overall efficiency at Lumberton, so that it can…
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Enviva's operations have not been significantly impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19, according to the company. In a letter to stakeholders, John Keppler, chairman and CEO of Enviva Partners announced that the company's liquidity remains robust. "As critical baseload and dispatchable renewable energy producers, our customers require our product now more than ever," Keppler commented. "Although…
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Alabama Pellets, of which Pinnacle Renewable Energy is a majority stakeholder, has placed an order with drying technology providers Büttner. Büttner will supply an energy system designed as a grate-firing system, with a firing capacity of approximately 50MW in combination with high-efficiency drum dryer type 5.6 x 28 R. The new wood pellet line will be installed at the wood pellet…
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The Wood Recyclers' Association (WRA), based in the UK, has told its members it is working closely with its contacts in the UK Government, industry regulators and other trade associations to keep the waste wood industry moving during the Covid-19 pandemic. In an email to its members, Andy Hill, chair of the WRA, said it is carrying out "a number of activities" including joining forces with…
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The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) has penned a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to explain how it is maintaining the wood pellet sector during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The letter, written by WPAC's executive director, Gordon Murray, focuses on how Canada's wood pellet sector is "fulfilling its responsibilities" as part of Canada's Critical Infrastructure,…
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Bioenergy industry leaders are urging the UK Government to keep wood fuel supply chains fully open to ensure heat can be provided to key frontline organisations and businesses. The Biomass Heat Works! campaign expressed concerns over key organisations being under immense pressure due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.  Biomass is a key utility resource, particularly for rural areas, and…
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Hundreds of construction workers have been sent home from a UK biomass plant, amid concerns over Covid-19 (coronavirus). The TeesREP biomass plant, run by MGT Teeside, temporarily closed its gates on Tuesday 24 March, although a 'handful' of maintenance staff were permitted to stay on-site, provided they adhered to the two-metre distancing rules, according to a report by ITV. Once…
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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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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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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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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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