Earlier this year, CanBio undertook a nationwide survey of bioenergy installations to assess the socio-economic impact of bioenergy in Canada. It is believed to be the most comprehensive study ever undertaken on the economic impacts of bioenergy in Canada. The data collected is important to understand the unique contribution the industry can provide to the welfare of Canada, and provides a good factual basis for making policy decisions at the federal and regional levels. Therefore, this should help remove misconceptions about bioenergy and promote its growth in Canada.
The purpose of the study was to gather information, and quantify data on the number of existing facilities and those under construction, as well as the number of direct and indirect jobs they provide. Results show that bioenergy employs thousands of people in the plants, feedstock supply, research and many other areas. In the last year we added 1 million tonnes, or 50%, to our pellet capacity alone. We now have 39 pellet plants with an estimated 1,760 workers in plants and biomass supply in small communities across Canada. Indirect employment is estimated to be an equal number. When including ethanol, biodiesel, independent cogen, bioheat and pyrolysis oil, total employment in plants and biomass supply is 3,830. Add 870 workers for plants under construction and we will have a whopping 4,700 workers in production activity. And that doesn’t even include the estimated 3,400 that work in bioenergy in universities, governments, not-for-profit organizations such as associations, and media.
Because funding for the study was limited, not include in the survey were equipment manufacturers, consultants, developers, retail, engineering firms, biochemicals and algae. Years ago provincial governments were afraid to allow a pulp mill to shut down because they were huge employers. Now bioenergy plays a big part in the survival of these mills. Fully 9,600 workers have been identified in Canadian pulp mills that have biomass cogen to keep them competitive and in business. Biomass district heating is also growing in leaps and bounds. Three years ago, there were few systems; now there are 13 running, with eight more under construction. In Quebec alone, there are 14 other systems in the feasibility stage, with 10 more in various stages of planning. They are not huge employers of people, but they allow communities to wean themselves of fossil energy.
CanBio has administered this confidential survey, and expects to release the detailed results later this year. Included in the final report will be the economic analysis and data on a national and regional basis.
Bioenergy has major advantages versus other renewables such as solar and wind.
- It is dispatchable - solar only provides power when it is sunny, wind only when it is windy. It is true that solar and wind power can be stored, for example, in batteries, but batteries are expensive, require maintenance, regular replacement, and are heavy.
- Bioenergy can supply energy 24/7. Wind can only supply power; bioenergy can supply renewable direct heat as well as power; this advantage is especially useful when applied as an integrated system.
- Wind power provides employment where turbines are manufactured, but only occasional maintenance jobs in communities where they are installed. Bioenergy provides many jobs in construction, and many ongoing jobs in the plant and in biomass supply, and all in the community itself. The Finns learned this long ago.