Pellet News U.K. pellet demand (in million metric tons) Consumption
Imports
Imports from U.S
2010
1.99
2011
2.72
1.015
0.274
2012
3.38
1.47
0.475
2013 (projected)
4.54
SOURCE: USDA FAS GAIN, EU BIOFUELS ANNUAL 2013
UK sets solid biomass sustainability standards The U.K. Department of Energy & Climate Change has announced that starting in 2015, the biomass industry must show its fuel is sustainable to receive financial support under the Renewables Obligation. According to the DECC, all electricity generators of 1 megawatt (MW) capacity or higher that use solid biomass or biogas feedstock will be required to demonstrate they are meeting prescribed sustainability criteria to claim support under the RO. The DECC estimates the 1 MW
threshold will cover approximately 98 percent of all biomass power generation in the U.K. Power producers covered by the sustainability standards will also be required to provide an independent sustainability audit with their annual sustainability report. In order to provide certainty to investors and developers, the DECC has indicated that there will be no additional unilateral change to sustainability criteria before April 2027.
Green Circle Bio Energy plans second plant Cottondale, Fla.-based Green Circle Bio Energy Inc. has announced plans to locate a $115 million wood pellet manufacturing facility at the George County Industrial Park in Lucedale, Miss., a community located approximately 40 miles northwest of Mobile, Ala. The 500,000-ton-per-year plant is expected to be operational in the spring of 2015. It will produce pellets for shipment from the Port of Pascagoula near the Mississippi-Alabama border to European markets. The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project for infrastructure need at the project site. George County also provided assistance to the facility. “We are looking forward to being a part of George County and its future economic growth. The Industrial Park is the ideal location for our expansion,� said Morten Neraas, CEO of Green Circle Bio Energy. The company also operates a pellet plant in Cottondale, Fla. The 560,000-ton-per-year facility began operations in 2008.
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14 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | Q3 2013