RWE expects to start biomass blending in the Netherlands by the end of this month at 600MW coal-fired power plant Argus Biomass Markets reports RWE plans to mix 50% biomass at Amer 9 to consume about 900,000 tonnes of pellets each year for the next few years Further work will be done to increase the common burn to 80%.
This is good news for Canadian wood pellet exporters, who may give priority to this power plant.
Like many other affected stakeholders, the Canadian Wood Pellet Association (WPAC) has been involved in the debate on biomass co-firing in the Netherlands since 2014. The WPAC traveled many times to the Netherlands to meet with Dutch government, NGOs and utilities. In ‧ the WPAC also organized a visit to show Dutch government officials the sustainability of the Canadian wood pellet supply chain
The Netherlands, once the world's largest importer of wood pellets for the co-firing industry, consumes about 1.5 million tonnes of mixed wood pellets per its previous biomass support program, MEP, however, from 2012 to 2014, With the expiration of the utility contract, the volume of imports plummeted until eventually all were stopped.
Although the Dutch government (GNL) promptly replaced the 'MEP' with a new support program called Stimulering Duurzame Energieproductie or 'SDE', biomass co-firing has remained stagnant on sustainability issues. Are able to agree on sustainability standards but the Dutch authorities started the verification process in early 2016 and are still evaluating what certification schemes they will accept as sustainability assurances Canada's SFI and CSA Forest Certification Program, been accepted.
The Canadian Wood Pellet Association (WPAC) thanked Judith Baguley, Canadian Trade Commissioner, Dave Patterson, FII, and Wendy Vasbinder, Canadian Department of Natural Resources (NRCAN) for their assistance in this article. We also thank the NRCAN Export Market Financial Planning for Opportunities and FII Market Initiatives.
Gordon Murray is the managing director of the Canadian Wood Pellet Association (WPAC).
