The government-led initiative will create an annual income of around £500,000 at current volumes, that, when added to the estimated cost of oil offset by the boilers, is set to create substantial cost savings for BSW. The companyworked with the manufacturer (KIV from Slovenia) to get the kit accepted by HMRC as green technology, which further enhanced the financial benefits.
BSW Timber operates two 3MW biomass boilers in Newbridge, a 5MW boiler in Dalbeattie and two 5MW boilers at the Fort William site.
In addition to consulting with BSW Timber throughout the application process, the biomass plants were designed and project-managed by renewable consultancy, Sustainable Energy. BSW Timber’s three plants will create more than 15,000 tonnes of carbon savings each year.
BSW Timber ceo, Tony Hackney, said: “The biomass projects at our three sites have been a huge success. Not only does biomass significantly reduce BSW’s carbon emissions, it also makes overall site operations more sustainable.
“We’re already exceeding our performance expectations and meeting key environmental and financial objectives. The Renewable Heat Incentive accreditation is an additional business benefit of these projects and we are proud to have set the benchmark for the industry when it comes to investing in means of sustainable heat production.
“The plants have been delivered on schedule, to budget and are already exceeding our performance expectations by meeting key environmental and financial objectives”
Managing director of Sustainable Energy , Dr Gabriel Gallagher, added: “Our team has enjoyed working closely with BSW Timber to develop these three exemplar projects. It was the next logical step to help them gain accreditation for the Renewable Heat Incentive and the results are proof that biomass energy does present a real business opportunity.”