Seminars in Latvia and Lithuania

Technical and financial possibilities regarding bioenergy
Make the renewable vision real!
Riga, Latvia, 21 September 2004
Kaunas, Lithuania, 23 September 2004

• Background Information
• Introduction to the Seminars
• Slide Presentations - Riga, Latvia, 21 September 2004
• Slide Presentations - Kaunas, Lithuania, 23 September 2004
• Further Information

Sustainability has become a central concern for Governments and local authorities all over the world. The concept put at its simplest means 'the ability of mankind to meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.

Biomass and bioenergy technologies are one approach to moving our economy to a more sustainable basis because they move us away from fossil fuels. All utilisation of biomass is in the end local and implies several important benefits for the local community such as job creation, business development and social cohesion.

There is a significant potential for utilisation of biomass for energy purposes in the Baltic's. For example part of the wood pellets and briquettes used in Sweden and Denmark is produced here (260 000 tonnes/year). Biomass in forms of forest residues (wood chips) and residues from the forest industry is used in larger plants. The potential for utilising the domestic and renewable biomass in small scale applications are significant. The fuel costs are about 55-65% of fossil fuels. However biomass heating is not thought of as a modern solution for heating and the lack of information, understanding and technology are large barriers.

The BALDER (The BAtics DEmonstration of Renewables) project includes knowledge and technology transfer in biomass heating, especially in small- and medium sized applications with wood pellets. The objectives are to:

• Transfer know-how regarding use of biomass in small scale district heating and central heating units.
  
• Visualise the feasibility of conversion from fossil fuels to biomass via concrete projects that also shall serve as future reference plants
  
• Create and stimulate an expanded cooperation between SMEs in Sweden and the Baltic states.
  
• Stimulate long-term investments in The Baltics.

One activity within the BALDER project is to arrange seminars/workshops in each Baltic state. Other activities are to produce an info package of fact sheets in English and local languages which describes different important aspects of local utilisation of biomass such as environmental, economical and socio-economic benefits and technology and design matters. In addition several possible sites suitable for conversion from fossil fuels to biomass shall be identified and followed up with a procurement process to invite bids from technology suppliers. The projects could later on be supported by the EU structural funds as well as Swedish funds for the Baltic region.

The purpose of the seminars was to visualise the opportunities of utilisation of the biomass resources on local level in the Baltic states to key local stakeholders. The purpose was also to facilitate the establishment of future cooperation between communities and commercial actors within the Baltic States and other European countries.

The seminars included speeches about:

• EU policy and legal framework and support, structural funds etc.
  
• National policy, legal and support framework
  
• The upcoming trade scheme for emission quotas
  
• Socio-economic benefits of bioenergy
  
• Small scale bioenergy technology
  
• Medium scale bioenergy technology
  
• The design of a bioenergy plant
  
• How to initiate a local bioenergy project

The seminars included information from leading experts in technology, policy, financing and local development. Issues that will be addresses and discussed are technology and market development, socio-economic and environmental benefits of biomass and commercial opportunities in a growing and promising market.

Important issues were also the EU policy and support framework including the structural funds.

The target audience of the seminars was local politicians and decision makers such as senior municipal officers and responsible persons at local utilities and energy services companies. Another target group was potential commercial actors such as consultants, architects, retailers and installers.

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