The South West of England Development Agency (RDA) has been awarded £3 million to invest in a range of bioheat projects, putting the region at the forefront of this emerging renewable energy sector.

The investment, from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is a direct result of the South West Bioheat Programme, which was launched last year with £650,000 funding from the RDA and £10,000 from the Forestry Commission.

Run by the South West's own renewable energy agency, Regen SW, the programme has been identifying and providing support to potential wood fuel and offering training courses relevant to the industry.

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The South West Bioheat Programme has identified 30 potential projects for funding and Defra is releasing £3 million from its Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme to help make them a reality.

Together the projects could provide up to 32MW of renewable heat, saving an estimated 7,000 tonnes of carbon a year by replacing oil fired heating systems with wood-fuelled systems. Locations include council offices, creameries and plant nurseries.

Defra's Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme was set up to support the installation of biomass-fuelled heat and combined heat and power projects in the industrial, commercial and community sectors.

Among the 30 projects that Regen SW has identified for potential bioheat plants are the Met Office in Exeter and Dairy Crest's creamery at Davidstow in North Cornwall.

(JM/KMcA)