{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Forestry Now","title":"Biomass, Renewable Heat and Nuffield 2026 with Kenny McCauley","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3120,"description":"Today I speak with Kenny McCauley from McCauley Wood Fuels Ltd who are based near Mohill in Co Leitrim. The business processes around 500 tonnes of wood biomass weekly to create high quality, moisture controlled wood chip. In this conversation Kenny explains how his business works, how biomass forms a vital cog in the Irish forestry supply chain, how wood chip is replacing fossil fuels across Ireland and how Leitrim can be a centre of excellence for balanced forestry. He also details the processing system he uses including the machinery and technology involved. Finally Kenny has recently started on his journey as a Nuffield Scholar for 2026. So we discuss what Nuffield involves and his study topic itself which is: “Mobilising rural biomass: unlocking renewable heat, carbon storage and bioeconomy value from farm forest resources.” \nKey Points:\nFirewood to biomass - transitioning his business and partnership with Arigna Fuels\nPartnerships with suppliers and early customers proved critical in enabling the business to grow.\nQuality control of both inward raw materials and finished product remains key.\nBiomass is a cost effective source of heating for large users such as poultry, pig, and mushroom farms, as well as hotels.\nLeitrim's potential as an economic driver through a balanced forestry model.\nThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland offer the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat which aids large users transition away from fossil fuels.\nKenny's journey with Nuffield will give him an opportunity to understand best practice worldwide and emerging opportunities.\n\nQuotes:\n\nClick here for the ForestryNow podcast newsletter signup\nFollow the Guest on:\nLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennymccauley/\nMcCauley Wood Fuels Ltd: https://www.facebook.com/McCauleyWoodFuels/\nNuffield Ireland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuffield-ireland/\nKennys profile on Nuffield: https://nuffield.ie/scholar/kenny-mccauley/\nWood Fuel Quality Assurance: https://www.wfqa.org/\nIrish...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/y-Ns7qgeQc4APOd80Zlamk7qjqkdHoEVT6BTEG7fO4A/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84ZmZj/ZWY3Yjg1ZjZiZmYy/ZTNjMGQ5YWZlY2Jh/NWUwMS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}