Bioenergy from Wood Waste is Key

"Australia can no longer rely on fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. The forest industry can provide a renewable and sustainable energy source," NAFI CEO Allan Hansard said.

"Bioenergy generated from wood waste is a low-cost renewable, clean energy option available to Australia; it's significantly cheaper to produce than wind or solar power.

"With petrol as high as $1.70 a litre, and coal producing large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, it's time Australia seriously looked at clean, renewable energy sources. Wood waste from Australia’s existing forest industry activities – without harvesting a single extra tree – has the potential to significantly substitute fossil fuel-based energy production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3 millions tonnes of CO₂ every year. "Producing renewable energy from wood waste has potential to provide around 7 per cent of Australia’s goal of a 20 percent share of renewable energy by 2020 and can:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 3 million tonnes of CO₂ a year
• create over 2300 new direct jobs and 6900 indirect jobs
• deliver over $800 million in direct investment in renewable energy facilities; and
• supply renewable electricity to at least 400,000 Australian homes.

However, regulations which restrict the full use of wood waste from forest industry activities must be removed if this renewable energy generation capacity is to be realised.

"NAFI is calling on the Federal Government to remove the various State-based regulatory restrictions so the potential of this renewable resource can be realised for the benefit of the Australian community and the environment," Mr Hansard said.

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