The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) are hosting their annual Wood Heat Conference at the end of October (24th and 25th). Taking place at Chesford Grange in Kenilworth, this is their first face-to-face conference since the pandemic. The conference has a range of speakers and provides an opportunity for the biomass sector to network. With the recent publication of the Biomass Strategy, there will be plenty to talk about. Woodsure CEO Bruce Allen will be part of a panel discussion about biomass installation, Alan Young, Compliance Manager will be speaking about biomass maintenance and is joined by Helen Bentley-Fox who will be discussing everything Woodsure and fuel quality. 

In addition to Alan and Helen, visitors will hear from Tunde Ojetola from the government’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) following the recent publication of the government’s Biomass Strategy. 

The conference will have a line-up of guest speakers from the world of biomass, to include: 

• Terence McCracken, Innasol Ltd.
• Neil Welsh, Ofgem
• Dr Amy O’Mahoney, Ofgem
• Matthew Goodwin, UKPC and European Pellet Council
• Helen Bently-Fox, Woodsure
• Thomas Wilkins, NFU Energy
• Patricia Thornley, Supergen Bioenergy Hub
• Andrew Welfle, BISM 
• Gill Alker, AMP Clean Energy 

With so much to discuss, the various panels and speakers will be talking about:  

• Industry Standards and Updates 
• With the RHI closed, the biomass strategy just released and new standards evolving – what does the biomass heat sector look like in 2023? 
• The public perception of biomass 
• How can we finance our industry in a post-subsidy environment? What opportunities are there for growth and innovation? 
• How are new wood heat standards impacting the industry? How can we ensure our technology is sustainable and as green as possible, without discouraging investment? 
• With the ongoing war in Ukraine, how can we secure supplies of feedstocks to protect UK energy security and our consumers – what role can feedstock innovation play in this? 

The latest programme for the conference can be viewed on the REA website. 

A range of tickets are available, with prices available for members and non-members.  

Full timings for the conference are as follows: 

• Tuesday 24th October – conference from 10:00 to 17:20 – dinner from 19:00 
• Wednesday 25th October – 10:00 to 14:15 

Full details on the two-day conference are available on the REA website.