In the Current economic climate, with volatile energy prices, many companies need cheaper, low carbon, energy sources.

England's Northwest has a high proportion of process heat users. Biomass is often the best option, however pre-development costs are often a major constraint. This is where the Northwest Biomass Project can help.

The funding for this project comes from the Northwest Development Agency. The project is managed by Envirolink Northwest and will run until March 2011. Assistance is available to develop plans upto the stage where formal planning permission is submitted, thereby removing some of the pre-development risk for biomass proposals. Unfortunately no assistance is currently available for the capital purchase of bioenergy equipment. All approved proposals will be tendered out to consultant. Commissioning of work will be carried out in conjunction with the recipient of the assistance.

Target Companies

Type of assistance available

• Environmental Assessments and emissions modelling
• Detailed equipment assessments
• Site surveys and engineering drawings
• Grid connection specifications
• Assistance with capital grants

Some work will be undertaken to structural weaknesses in other parts of the biomass supply chain.  These are likely to be delivering training and identifying and resolving areas where fuel supply is weak.  in addition the project will identify the -practical measures needed to leaver in addition/greater proportion of funding from natural sources, particularly capital grants for installations.

For further information, contact the project Manager