THE

"Sustainable Forest Energy” is a four-year joint venture which is operated by Forest Centre and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture and Forestry. The project started in 2011 and will end in 2014. The funds come mainly from European Union (The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). The Forest Centre leads the project and takes care of the advice and information activities. Tasks of Seinäjoki University of Applied Science are aimed mainly at the research and development work. The projects area of operation is the same 1.25 million hectares of forest that the Forest Centre of South and Central Ostrobothnia covers. The project has close cooperation with heat entrepreneurs, forest companies, municipalities, forest owners, farmers and other interest groups. Above-mentioned are also the main beneficiaries of the project.

The first aim of the project is to research and develop forest energy production, procurement and utilization in the target area. The second aim is to share information to the bioenergy sector. The project consists of four different work packages: 1. technology, 2. profitability, 3. environment and 4. communication. The methods of implementations of different work packages are versatile. The project will publish new research results in journals, newspapers and other publications. The project organizes seminars, theme days and excursions as well. Overall, the project promotes the use of forest energy, improves the energy self-sufficiency and economic viability of rural areas as well as to fights climate change. Moreover, the project consolidates the cooperation between different organizations in the bioenergy sector.

Project Presentation (pdf)