Large-scale energy grass farming for power plants—A case study from Ostrobothnia, Finland

Abstract

Abstract Growing perennial reed canary grass (RCG) for large-scale energy production began in the late 1990s in Finland. MTT Agrifood Research Finland introduced an extension project in 2002 to promote RCG growing in the Ostrobothnia region. The project organised courses and seminars for farmers and advisors in co-operation with four local power plants of Pohjolan Voima (producing from 20 to 600 MWth). At the same time, MTT delivered popularised results of earlier RCG studies as textbooks. During the extension project in 2002–2005, 1470 farmers, teachers and advisors were trained in the economics and growing of RCG. By 2005, 157 growers had signed 5-year contracts to grow RCG for the power plants involved the project. The area sown to RCG in Ostrobothnia increased from 18 ha in 2002 to 2300 ha in 2006. In 2005, a survey was carried out on 74 RCG farms. Data were gathered on farms, growers, the role of information, and initiation and success of RCG growing in Ostrobothnia. The RCG area averaged 14 ha that was more than one-third of the fields on farm, and the farmer invariably wanted to expand production. A typical RCG grower was less than 55 years old and worked half-time on the farm. More than 75% of farmers mentioned seminars and textbooks as the most important sources for information before starting to cultivate RCG. The most serious problems were considered to be weed infestation during the year of establishment and yield losses at first harvest.