Case Studies

BiEcc Making the Most of New Energy Opportunities

As the company set up by local farmers and miscanthus developers BICAL to develop new opportunities in growing miscanthus, BiEcc operate as the miscanthus supply manager for the Eccleshall Biomass Project.

BiEcc offers local farmers and landowners a genuinely sustainable and environmentally friendly source of business by delivering a balanced income stream. Use of miscanthus fuel is essential to assist in reducing climate change; each tonne of miscanthus burnt will prevent over 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted, compared to energy generation from fossil fuels.

In addition to its use as an energy source, miscanthus also has a number of commercial uses including equine bedding and bio-composites for the plastics industry. Another big advantage of miscanthus is that it can be grown on set-aside land and offers a simple form of diversification.

To date, BiEcc have planted around 850 hectares of miscanthus, successfully adding diversification to over 50 farms and bringing over £223,000 into the area in DEFRA Energy Crops Scheme Grants. New grants are available for growing miscanthus through the DEFRA Energy Crops Scheme, which is due to be announced in Summer 2007.

BiEcc have also been successful in applying for a Bioenergy Infrastructure Scheme Grant to further assist the production and supply of miscanthus for this renewable energy project.

For further information please visit www.bical.net or call 01884 35899

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