Power

The UK has set targets for generating a proportion of its energy from renewable sources, using a number of different sources such as wind, hydro and biomass. Miscanthus is a crop developed specifically for energy production, capable of producing large amounts of biomass efficiently. For biomass projects, a proportion of dedicated energy crops such as Miscanthus are required, these are crops grown only for energy production. Miscanthus is recognised by DEFRA as an eligible energy crop. This represents a significant opportunity, for UK farming.

Energy crops can be used for a range of markets, for dedicated biomass power stations or co-firing at existing coal power stations. Additionally, on a smaller scale the crop can be burnt directly on farm to generate heat, or converted to energy crop pellets for use in dedicated boilers at home or in business. Within the UK, over 125,000 Ha of production is required for the dedicated power project, with further amounts to satisfy the co-firing and heating markets. 

Contracts are available now for planting for the 2007 season onwards. These are arranged within producer groups established by BICAL. The end uses are to supply dedicated biomass plants, coal power stations for co-firing, and fuel pellets for the home market.

Bical  – Looking for growers across the UK and particularly in Derbyshire, Devon, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Somerset for other ongoing projects. Please contact BICAL for further details and to register interest click here.  

England

BiSel – Looking for growers in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and parts of Nottinghamshire, to supply crops to DRAX power station for co-firing. Long term contracts available, please contact BICAL for further details and an invite to an open day or farm demonstrations click here.

BiEd – Looking for growers in Nottinghamshire for supply to the co-firing market. Please contact BICAL, to receive further details and invite to open days and farm demonstrations click here.

BiEcc – Looking for growers in Staffordshire and parts of Cheshire and Shropshire, for supply to a dedicated biomass plant, and pelleted fuel production. Please contact BICAL, to receive further details and invite to open days and farm demonstrations click here.

BiCEP – Looking for growers in Devon and Somerset, for production to supply dedicated biomass plants and pelleted fuel production for heating projects click here.

France

Bical France – We are also looking for Farmers across France to grow Miscanthus for on going projects. For more information, please contact BICAL France for further details and to register interest click here