Potential of energy wood resources and technologies for their supply in Tihvin and Boksitogorsk Districts of the Leningrad Region

The Leningrad region adopted a concept of energy sector development in 2003. The concept considers wood to be one of the main sources of bioenergy. Precise calculations of the energy wood availability for Tihvin and Boksitogors districts of the Leningrad region have been carried out to facilitate the development of bioenergy in the region. Energy wood availability was calculated according to three scenarios. In scenario Actual, based on actual cut, available volume of energy wood is 424,000 m3 yr−1. Realization of scenario Available, with full utilization of annual allowable cut, would increase the volume of energy wood up to 637,000 m3 yr−1 or by 50%. Utilisation of entire annual allowable cut and intermediate fellings in scenario Potential would increase available volume of energy wood up to 774,000 m3 yr−1 or by 83% compared to scenario Actual. The required quantity of machines and workforce to supply available volumes of energy wood in scenario Potential is almost two times higher than that of scenario Actual.