The County is home to forestry operators and rural industries that are interested in supporting biomass supply chains and renewable energy development, forming a strong base for expanded clean-energy investment. The Bancroft Minden Forest Company recently completed a report outlining the underutilized fibre supply in our region. The full report can be found here.

As outlined in the report, each year local sawmills produce roughly 323,000 Bone Dry Metric Tonne (BDMT) of wood residuals, with the potential to exceed 500,000 BDMT as mills expand. At the same time, forest operations generate close to 1 million m³ of unused low grade wood, much of it previously used by the former Cascades mill in Trenton. 

This available fibre is more than enough to support major biomass and district energy projects. Even today’s supply could power a 27–32 MW biomass plant, heat an entire community, or fuel a 15–20 MW combined heat and power system creating reliable, renewable energy while reducing waste and supporting local economic growth.