Forest company goes green

One of Cornwall’s oldest sawmills, Duchy Timber, has invested in a 250 kW roof-mounted solar power system at its base in Lostwithiel, which is expected to reduce on-site electricity bills by 30%. In addition, Duchy Timber’s computer-controlled timber drying kilns are fired using wood waste from the mill, with any remaining wood waste recycled for use in third party power stations and chipboard production.

Early last year, Duchy’s parent company, the Premier Forest Group, installed solar technology at its head office in Newport and is currently commissioning a biomass plant that, together with the solar panels, will enable it to run its office, warehouse and all machinery on renewable energy. The Group says it plans further PV solar installations across its UK and Irish sites.