Welcome to Forest Energy Monitor – your source of in-depth coverage of global biomass and pellet markets, investments and legislation

LEADING ARTICLES FROM THE CURRENT ISSUE…

The weaker euro's influence on European biomass markets

One effect of the euro’s fall – plus the higher prices of coal and carbon – is that biomass and wood pellets have become much more attractive feedstocks for European utilities. The FEM Biomass Cofiring Index – which tracks the price at which the cofiring value of biomass equals the cost of the coal and carbon it displaces – has risen sharply over the past couple of months. In the UK, once the value of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) is added into the calculation, wood pellets have become a viable feedstock or the first time since the UK cofirers’ allocation of ROCs was halved in April 2009.
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Japan plans to boost the productivity of its under-utilised forest resources

Japan is one of the most forested countries in the world: forests cover 25 million ha, or 67%, of the country's total land area. The government has recognised that the country’s under-utilized forests are an important resource that can be used to achieve cuts in GHG emissions. With this in mind, it is enforcing a Forestry Revitalization Plan, which aims to mobilize an increasing proportion of forestry residues. Read more...

The EU Commission proposes deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions

While the US Senate is discussing – and most likely rejecting – the Kerry-Lieberman proposals for a 17% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, the EU Commission has tabled a report setting out proposals to move unilaterally to a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from the present 20% target. The Commission it is not suggesting that the EU leaps to a 30% target straight away. The conditions, it says, are not yet right. But it does argue that there is little point in waiting, and potentially much to be gained, by moving to a 30% cut relatively quickly. Read more...

Vattenfall is to invest in a new pellet mill in New Brunswick, Canada

The Miramichi Premium Pellet Plant is a 50:50 joint venture project between The Northumberland County Woodlot Owners Association (NWOA) and the Swedish energy company Vattenfall AB. It will have a production capacity of 120,000 t/y, of which 75% will be industrial-grade pellets for export to Europe, and 25% will be residential-grade pellets to be sold on the local market. Read more...

REGULAR FEATURES…

• Forest Biomass and Wood Pellet Price Indications
• Forest Biomass Feedstock Availability
• Energy and Carbon Market Briefing
• The FEM Biomass Cofiring Index (BCI)

OTHER NEWS & ANALYSIS

• The value of the global carbon market grows to $144 billion despite the economic turmoil
• A pellet mill in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to supply European utilities
• The potential of biotechnology in the wood energy sector
• The US Senate considers a new climate and energy bill
• A separate Bill broadens the definition of renewable biomass
• EPA requires biomass plants to apply for GHG emission permits
• Investment & technology in brief...
• Policy & Legislation in brief...

FEM BIOMASS COFIRING
INDEX (BCI)

3 June 2010

€14.14/MWh

weekly change -€0.02/MWh

FEM BCI PELLET SPREAD

€12.14/MWh

weekly change+€0.02/MWh

About the BCI and Pellet Spread

Historical data (subscribers only)

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