Airport workers branch out on educational visit to farm estate

LC Energy supplies Heathrow Airport’s biomass boiler that produces heat and electricity for Terminals Two and Five
LC Energy supplies Heathrow Airport’s biomass boiler that produces heat and electricity for Terminals Two and Five

Staff from London Heathrow learnt at first hand where the energy that powers much of the airport comes from – as they visited the Englefield Estate in West Berkshire.

The staff, along with teams from biomass fuel suppliers LC Energy and UK Power Networks, were taught about woodland management by the expert forestry team at the Estate.

LC Energy supplies Heathrow Airport’s biomass boiler that produces heat and electricity for Terminals Two and Five.

Fuelled by sustainably sourced local timber, biomass provides a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.

Richard Edwards, Englefield Estate’s Forestry Manager, said: “We manage around 3,500 acres of FSC certified woodland, which means that our commitment to working with the forests in a sustainable way is internationally recognised.

“Our commercial crop is used in a wide variety of ways, from high-quality oak for new homes to softwood for garden fencing and even horse bedding. Some of it, of course, is also used to fuel renewable biomass energy production.

“Our visitors really enjoyed their day out in the countryside, especially as they were able to put some of their newly learnt skills to good use! We took them all to Ufton Court on the Estate, where they helped us create a ‘tranquillity garden’ for children from complex and challenging backgrounds.”

Nicola Hopkins, from LC Energy of Gomshall, Surrey, said: “LC Energy offers corporate tree planting events to customers to provide expert insight to how woodlands can be properly managed to support communities and increase their understanding of the importance of woodland re-generation to ensure the long-term sustainability of timber.”