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Background Holz-Energie-Zentrum Olsberg is a joint venture of forest owners, producers of stoves and heating systems, saw mills and the town Olsberg. Independent production plants ensure reliable supply of wood fuels for reasonable prices. Sauerland, situated in the East of North Rhine-Westfalia, meets the requirements for sale of wood-energy almost perfectly: it has a high share of forests (more than 60%) and lots of woodworking industry. There is more than enough raw material for wood fuel! Stocktaking of the forests in North Rhine-Westfalia has brought it to the light: Far more wood is growing than we can use. Of the 5,5 Mio. m³ of wood that grows again, only 3,3 Mio m³ is felled. Therefore, enough wood for energetical utilization is available. Especially Sauerland meets the demands in many ways: in North Rhine-Westfalia 40% of the wood production takes place in Sauerland. Saw mills process about 2,6 Mio m³ wood; of this amount about 900 000 m³ becomes refuse wood. Simply by using it 180 Mio litres of fuel oil could be conserved. In
Sauerland about 55% (300.000ha) of the area is covered with
forests. About 75% of these forests is private property; the
majority of the owners – often they are farmers - is
organised in forest amalgamations.
With
increasing difficulties in successful farming, forest-property
has become very important to these owners. The aim is to mobilise existing wood-reserves. At the same time providers of raw material are to have a share in the profit.
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