Grant for Hexham biomass firm

Posted by The Journal on Dec 16, 08 10:27 AM in News

A Hexham company has been awarded a grant as part of a One NorthEast scheme to increase the region's biomass production.

Contract forester Richard Makepeace applied for support to buy a harvester and firewood processor, so that he can expand and develop his business further into biomass and firewood markets.

Richard Makepeace

Richard - who co-manages forests on the Chipchase and Minsteracres estates - supplies customers across Northumberland with firewood and is hoping to double his firewood production within three years.

He said: "Our new firewood processor makes the whole process so much quicker and easier - what would've taken three of us a full day using manual chopping techniques can now be done by one of us in just a few hours, so it will make a huge difference to the business.

"The firewood market is strong and we're now in a better position to be able to meet demand."

The biomass sector is small but growing in North East England, with a recent report suggesting it has the potential to be contributing more than £75m a year to the regional economy by 2015.

However, farms and forestry businesses in the region wanting to expand into biomass are often small or micro enterprises, with limited resources to invest in the training and equipment needed.

This project is investing in facilities and systems for harvesting, processing, storage and distribution.

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