Forestry for renewable energy

Toronto, ON – A report released by the Atlantica BioEnergy Task Force in December 2008 says that actions must be taken to implement renewable energy technologies in the forest products industry of the Atlantica Region (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Maine).  The study, compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), recommends 15 distinct actions to be taken to drive the Atlantica Region to the forefront of the renewable energy economy.  The report puts forth recommendations in areas of sustainable forest management, transportation infrastructure, transmission and distribution systems, technology, greenhouse gas strategy, market development, financial support, and regional collaboration in research and education. 

Bruce McIntyre, leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Forest, Paper, and Packaging practice in Canada.

“The Atlantica Region is rich in forests and has historically depended on the forest industry to drive its economy,” says Bruce McIntyre, leader of PwC’s Forest, Paper, and Packaging practice in Canada and a partner in the firm’s Sustainable Business Solutions practice.  “But the Region is now struggling to attract new investment and is facing the added challenges of high log and wage costs, weak markets, and energy costs that are above average.  Without new investment, the business prospects for the Region’s forest products sector are bleak, with little room to improve energy efficiency, develop emerging technologies, or generate new sources of revenue.”

The study indicates that there are opportunities to revitalize the forest industry and its competitiveness by making use of available wood feedstock for the production of bioenergy, biofuels, biochemicals, and other bioproducts in an environmentally conscious manner.  However, it remains unclear how much wood feedstock is available for use in bioproducts and at what cost this can be brought to market.  “These issues and opportunities could apply to the forest industry right across North America,” says McIntyre. The report and recommendations can be found at www.atlanticabioenergy.com .