Wales’ carbon footprint has just got smaller thanks to the installation of a biomass boiler at a farm stay holiday complex near Blackmill, Bridgend. A grant from Forestry Commission Wales enabled the owners of Gilfach Orfydd Farm Stay to set up the new system to provide hot water and heating for holidaymakers.
Gilfach Orfydd Farm Stay is a small bed and breakfast and self-catering holiday complex that offers accommodation on the farm itself. The site consists of two buildings, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna and an activity centre.
The newly installed Hargassner 80kw boiler is fuelled by woodchips and is connected to a small heating network. This system supplies heating and hot water to the holiday accommodation and to the activity centre, as well as hot water heating and air treatment for the pool and jacuzzi.
The biomass boiler was installed with financial support from the Wood Energy Business Scheme (WEBS). WEBS is a £20 million project part-funded with £7.8 million from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government. Run by Forestry Commission Wales, it offers capital investment to small and medium enterprises for woodfuel heating systems and processing equipment to develop the sustainable and renewable wood heat market across Wales.
But the commitment to renewable energy of the owners of Gilfach Orfydd, Carl and Helen Platel, does not stop with the biomass boiler – they are also managing the woodlands on their farm to provide the fuel needed by the new system.
The wood is harvested and then processed into chips on the farm by a specialist contractor before being taken to the onsite fuel store.
Carl Platel said, “The WEBS grant has allowed us to ensure that our business is sustainable both environmentally and financially for the future.
“We enlisted the expertise of Gabriel Gallagher of Sustainable Energy in Cardiff, and the installation was a very manageable project.
“The process was very smooth and I would encourage other businesses to look at the WEBS scheme as an excellent enhancement to their business plan.
“The feel good factor and satisfaction that you gain is something that even I couldn’t have envisaged, let alone the financial advantages.”
As well as grant support towards installing the new system, Mr and Mrs Platel received advice from the WEBS team on the technical aspects of the project and how to submit their application.
Mike Pitcher, Wood Energy Programme Manager, Forestry Commission Wales, said, “Modern woodfuel heating is a clean, convenient and sustainable form of renewable energy.
“By creating demand for wood locally, Forestry Commission Wales can encourage more woodland owners to bring their woodlands into management.
“Better managed woodlands offer higher financial returns to their owners as well as improving habitats for wildlife and offering opportunities for recreation.”
For more information on the WEBS grant scheme, see www.forestry.gov.uk/woodenergywales or contact Michelle Brunt on 0300 068 0088, [email protected]
