Wood from various sources can be used for fuel, including roundwood, chips and sawdust from wood processing, specific products such as pellets and briquettes, and recycled wood.

The following pages provide data on:

• recycled wood used for woodfuel (Table 2.30 below);
• woodfuel supply by sawmills and round fencing manufacturers (Table 2.31); and
• wood pellet production (Table 2.32) and feedstock (Table 2.33).

In addition, estimates of roundwood used directly for woodfuel are provided in tables 2.5 and 2.6.

Recycled wood used for woodfuel

Estimates of recycled wood used for woodfuel have been obtained from the Wood Recyclers’ Association. In 2018, it is estimated that around 2.1 million tonnes of recycled wood were used for woodfuel, an increase of 24% from the 2017 estimate of around 1.7 million tonnes.

Table 2.30 Recycled wood used for woodfuel, 2011-2018

^{Source: Wood Recyclers Association}

^Notes:

^{1.  Post consumer recovered wood, comprising wood originally grown in the UK and wood originally grown in forests outside the UK.}

^{2.  Figures for 2014 to 2018 relate to capacity, rather than consumption.}

^{3.  Quantities are as delivered, with an assumed average moisture content of 25%.  To convert to green tonnes (assuming moisture content of 52%), multiply by 1.56.}

These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics. For further information see the Sources chapter.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: Woodfuel and pellets