Dorset Renewable Co-operative Limited has announced its first community renewable energy project, which is planned for Scottsdale in north-east Tasmania.
DRCL hopes to raise $3 million from mainly small investors to fund the project.
Community-owned renewable electricity production projects are becoming increasingly common, but this project is about the production of a renewable solid fuel – wood pellets. The project will turn sawdust, currently either given away or sent to landfill, into a product with economic value.
The pellet plant project is the next step in a plan to ensure further investment in the community after the area was adversely impacted in 2011-12 at the height of an economic downturn.
Dorset Renewable Co-operative was formed by Dorset Renewable Industries after the completion of the integrated timber processing hub in Scottsdale in 2017.
Chairman of the co-operative, David Hamilton, attributes its creation to the united nature of the Dorset community as they want to have ownership of their own sustainable businesses which draw on the region’s strengths.
“We have developed an approach that understands – and solves – some real issues involved in our community without relying on big business or government intervention,” Hamilton said.
“The new pellet plant project is supported by high quality sustainable technology, and the initiative also offers the wider community a chance to be actively involved in the development of the area by becoming a member.”
The launch will be open to the public in order to attract more members and investors. Dorset Renewable Co-operative Limited needs investment from the local community and beyond if the pellet plant project is to go ahead, he said.
If the investment goal is reached, the plant could be installed and running within 9 months to a year, Hamilton indicated to TT. The cooperative plans to purchase a complete plant on a turn key basis, adding to three pellet mills currently operating in Tasmania.
Due to the water content of sawdust, it is not economic to transport it to other plants, but processing it locally will have added benefits. “At least one of the smallest sawmills in the district tells me that basically the extent to which he processes pine logs is limited by how much (sawdust) he can get rid of,” said Hamilton.
The project and its background are described in detail in a Disclosure Statement which will be available at the launch and online. Hamilton said their aim is to have members from the community who want to see the region develop while maintaining local ownership and control of sustainable businesses.
“The co-operative’s mission is to encourage, promote and develop the sustainable use of renewable resources in a way which benefits the community while protecting the environment. Our first project, the pellet plant project, grows out of that mission, and is a community renewable energy project,” he said.
“The pellet plant project is also an example of the circular economy – we will buy waste saw dust from the pine sawmills in Dorset, and turn it into wood pellets, which are a premium renewable fuel.”
Because of the tight control needed in the pelletising process, wood pellets can be burned very cleanly in convenient, automatic equipment.
“These are all-important aspects we take into account when looking for investment opportunities and this plant will create more jobs for locals, while providing an environmentally efficient Dorset-made product for local businesses and homes. The co-operative is structured in such a way that all investments, from the minimum of $200 to the maximum of $600,000 are welcome.”
Hamilton worked as an energy consultant for several years, where he advised on energy efficiency, renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and is currently a member of Climate Tasmania, an independent expert group on climate change.
The co-operative’s pellet plant project will be unveiled by Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein on Saturday, October 3.
Anyone interested can attend the launch in person or online. Due to COVID-19 this will be a ticketed event; tickets are free, and can be obtained via www.drcl.coop.
\
