Rarely far from the headlines today is the cost of energy and the security of its supply. The risks presented to our economic competitiveness by energy uncertainty are now well recognised and need to be tackled urgently. Assessing the potential for renewable energy in the region, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council believes the woodlands in the South East can play a key role.

Redhill town centre is now host to the South East's largest residential biomass scheme at Park 25. This facility will shortly be supplying half of the 500 homes with renewable heat and providing all of their hot water and space heating requirements. Biomass is particularly suited for heating, which accounts for a third of all CO2 emissions in the region and across the country. It is most economical when installed in new, large-scale developments or in existing developments with large heat loads, providing ongoing financial savings against gas, electricity and oil.

The Council has now engaged South East Wood Fuels Ltd to undertake various feasibility studies evaluating the contribution wood fuel (from both local arboriculture and waste wood) might play in facilitating the growth of low and zero carbon development. Early findings from these studies tend to support the view that a wood fuel supply chain can be successfully developed. Within Reigate and Banstead alone over 1,500 tonnes of actual demand per year has been identified, along with the potential demand for a further 11,000 tonnes of wood fuel per year over the next 1-2 years. Over 30,000 tonnes per year of available wood fuel resource have also been identified.

It is clear that this success has great potential value for the wider Gatwick Diamond area and the possibility of extending the scheme is presently being scoped out. For further information look at

www.sewf.co.uk and www.woodenergyltd.co.uk