Coppice Growers in the Dark

WILLOW coppice growers are in the dark despite the sale of the troubled ARBRE energy plant at Eggborough, North Yorkshire.

The plant, which was to be Europe's first wood-powered energy station, went into liquidation last year after encountering technical difficulties.

Contracted growers were left high and dry, but it is now believed the plant has been bought by an American company.

However the recent sale offers little fresh hope for farmers, according to producer group chairman, Russell Toothill.

He voiced disappointment that government grants announced recently to help build plants using farmer-grown biomass had been centred on Southern England

""We believe our contracts are no longer valid and will have to be renegotiated," said Mr Toothill, chairman of Renewable Energy Growers.

"The Government has given out grants to help build these new biomass power plants in the south, yet in the north we have crops ready for harvest and no power stations."

Five projects in Staffordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Devon have recently received up to £11.5m each from the Department of Trade and Industry.

The money will go towards building new biomass plants, which will provide enough heat and electricity for more than 90,000 homes.

Mr Toothill said his 40-strong producer group was still convinced of the potential of willow as an energy source.

The group would continue to actively seek new markets for existing crops, he added.