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Updated: September 07, 2003
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Biomass - Burning Forests For Power
BIOMASS INFORMATION SHEET
Biomass
Biomass Energy is the energy which is stored in plants and animals or in the wastes that they produce. It is also called a bio-resource or biomass feedstock. During combustion biomass fuels release the CO2 that they contain.
Bio-resources can be used to produce energy.
Burning forests for power
Electricity producers are proposing to substitute coal with native forest wood products as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While the burning of timber releases carbon in the same way as coal, the electricity industry claims that biomass is regarded as greenhouse neutral because new trees are grown to replace those which are logged. In fact, it could take as long as 750-800 years to replace the carbon lost from old growth forest were it is burnt for power.
What is being burnt?
The energy industry and the government describe what is being burnt simply as 'forest waste'. However, all of the following can be classified as forest waste and could potentially be burnt for the production of electricity.
- Old trees, not suitable for sawlogs,
- Silvicultural thinnings (trees removed to promote the growth of sawlogs)
- Sawdust, bark, heads and butts (these are uneconomical to woodchip and would be unlikely to be used as biomass)
- Whole trees currently used for woodchips
Between 60% and 90% of what is logged from our native forests is already declared waste and turned into woodchips. The removal of this material deprives forests of vital nutrients to the soil and endangers native species' habitats.
Who is promoting this and why ?
The burning of native forests for power is being promoted by the State Government who argue that a new market is needed to prop up State Forests who are an ailing and uneconomic government agency.
It is also argued by industry and the Commonwealth Government that burning native forests as biomass will assist Australia meet international greenhouse targets.
Green power
The Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) accredits and monitors Green Power products which are marketed as clean green energy alternatives. Green Power products provide energy derived from clean, renewable sources such as the wind, sun and some uses of biomass. However, SEDA will not be accrediting any electricity generated using native forests or old growth forest as biomass.
Who is involved?
- Liddell Power Station owned by Macquarie Generation are already burning 5% forest products. Up to 70,000 tonnes of wood could be burnt in the first year.
- Bayswater Power station also owned by Maquarie Generation has been given Environmental Protection Authority approval to conduct a 5% trial.
- Delta Electricity, which operates Mount Piper and Wallerawang power stations near Lithgow and Vales Point and Munmorah power stations on the Central Coast, has also been granted approval for a biomass burn.
- Pacific Power, which operates Eraring power station on Lake Macquarie, has not yet been given approval but is apparently considering the option.
What you can do:
Write to the power generators involved and tell them that, as a consumer of electricity and someone concerned about the protection of native and old growth forests, you object to the burning of native forests as biomass.
Remind them that over 80% of Australians are opposed to woodchipping our native forests and that any proposal to burn them for energy would meet with even stronger community opposition and greatly damage the credibility of green energy programs.
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Mr Jim Divine |
Dr Robert Lang |
Mr Frank Hutchinson |
We cannot allow our native forests to be burnt for power.
Please help! Contact sydney@wilderness.org.au
For more information, please contact:
The Wilderness Society Sydney Inc
Postal address: PO Box K249 Haymarket, NSW, 1240
Suite 402, Level 4, 64-76 Kippax St,
Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Phone: 02 9282 9553
