Wood energy now and the future opportunity
The wood processing sector has used wood waste as a source of fuel for many years to the extent that over 10% of New Zealand’s consumer energy already comes from bioenergy, mainly wood processing residues. There is now little wood processing residues not used as fuel for heat production or sold for mainly agricultural purposes. Wood fuel is now being sourced from forest harvesting residues. This is a fast growing sector of the market.
Food processors and other large heat users such as hospitals and accommodation facilities are how converting from using coal to using wood fuel for producing heat. Search the Case Study section of the Knowledge Centre.
As well as having the latest wood fuel harvesting technology and equipment, New Zealand has a wide range of combustion technologies – from residential wood-fuelled heaters to commercial and industrial scale heat plants.