A highly efficient renewable powered fuel boiler funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been installed by Halladale-based GMG Energy and is now being used to help kiln-dry logs for domestic stoves throughout the Highland and beyond.
And, said owner-director, Malcolm Morrison, after a professional installation process masterminded by consulting engineer, Andy Groves, the boiler is now operating at full tilt, fuelled by the wood chips and sawdust created as a by-product of GMG’s timber sawmill.
Mr Morrison said: “I am delighted that, thanks to HIE Account Manager, Keith Muir who helped us with a capital expenditure grant and Andy’s expert guidance, we have a first-class boiler which plays a critical role in powering the kiln dryer which provides us with tons of timber logs to heat the homes of households across the Highlands.”
Established in 2016, GMG Energy operates a state-of-the-art sawmill on a farm in the Halladale Strath between Tongue and Thurso, producing kiln-dried logs, chip and sawdust for consumers and wholesalers.
Said Andy: “The boiler is quite technically sophisticated and well capable of being used in an energy efficient manner. It took a while to install it due to having to upgrade the electric capability at the sawmill, but the results that Malcolm has been getting from it are first class.
“I like to think that between us, we have made a good contribution to promoting the benefits of the circular economy.”
GMG Energy makes door to door deliveries throughout the north Highlands and manufactures timber products for agricultural businesses, builders and consumers. It also supplies bark for garden centres, sawdust for livestock and dried chip for supply to local businesses and councils.
GMG Energy is committed to replacing every log of timber it uses, planting about 20,000 trees in 2021. As a result, businesses across the North and the Islands can reduce their carbon footprint by sourcing locally.
