As essential alternative fuel sources, wood chip and pellet production (along with boiler mechanisms to burn them efficiently) represent key areas for growth for local businesses.

Northern Ireland has an increasing organic waste disposal route for the production of biogas.  It is estimated that Northern Ireland biogas has the potential to provide 292 MW of heat and 146 MW electricity through anaerobic digestion, providing a small but significant input into the renewables mix.

Many companies are already in the bioenergy market, and the industry is presently expanding with the main drivers being the EU targets for renewable energy; stability for long-term energy cost; carbon neutral supply chains for the food industry; and energy from waste.

To allow for the continued expansion of the industry in Northern Ireland, more businesses must now become involved and exploit the market opportunities.

What are the business opportunities?

The main areas of opportunity are in the supply of the raw material fuels, and the manufacture of the boilers and control systems.

• Fuel Suppliers including chipped wood, pellets, waste wood and fuel crops.
• Fuel Feed Systems including conveyors, gravity systems, batch systems and walking floors.
• Fuel Storage Systems including prefabricated bunkers, silos, tanks, storage hoppers and delivery systems.
• Boiler Manufacturing including heat exchangers; ignition systems; fire bricks; ash extraction and collection systems.

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