Even if wood as a fuel has been used since time immemorial, the idea of producing more than 50,000 tonnes a year of high quality biomass wood chip on one site alone takes some getting used to. And we have found that there is enormous benefit to be gained by actually seeing the AHS Energy production site at Padworth in operation.
We are really keen to encourage firms and individuals to see what we are doing, so recently we decided to invite the local MP, Richard Benyon - he is also a shadow DEFRA minister - to come and take a look for himself.
It was quite obvious that Richard was already extremely well-informed about the potential for biomass as a renewable and sustainable source of fuel. In fact he mentioned that he had looked into installing a boiler himself. And because he had worked earlier in his career as a land agent, he was able to estimate how many tonnes of wood were being stored in the yard.
Nick Guest felt that Richard was impressed by the scale and efficiency of the site. With a single chipper able to produce such large quantities, it does seem peculiar that so much money has been invested over the years on small chippers that are only required to work for a very small proportion of the time.
Richard had a close look at the chipper in action and was bowled over by its immense power and speed. He then saw the finished product after the screening and grading process.
One of the factors that has inhibited some organisations from pursuing biomass renewable fuel has been the perception that the supply chain is not sufficiently in place yet to give confidence. Visits like this to Padworth soon put minds at rest.
