Fuel Wood Plantations in Germany

RWE Innogy now operates about 20 energy crop plantations in Germany. Many of these leased areas are in the federal states of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. We mostly grow poplars and Robinia in these plantations, as these are most suitable for these sites. Under the local climatic conditions, these types of tree are particularly suitable for short rotation forestry.

The growth phase of the trees is about three to five years till they can be harvested. After the harvest, the trees grow again from the rhizome remaining on the earth. The average annual yield is 10 metric tons dry mass per hectare and year.

We wish to extend our portfolio in Germany further. We are concentrating on sites where the agricultural yield is at the threshold and on special sites - e.g. under power cable routes. The leasing price depends on the expected yield, the distances from the special RWE power stations and the local leasing price level.

Exemplary: 50,000 poplars planted

In May 2009, we planted a special RWE agricultural area in the south of Dortmund with about 50,000 rapidly growing poplars. The earth consists of clay loam, which is readily penetrated by roots and which easily binds water. The polar hybrid AF2 was used as seed stock. The plantation required no fertilizers throughout the whole period of operation. The project is planned to last 20 years. It is planned that the plantation should be harvested five to seven times within this period. The expected total yield is expected to be 1,300 metric tons, corresponding to the heat and current supplies for about 10 households.

Our show plantation at a glance

Your contact

Leasing

If you are interested in leasing areas, your contact is:

Viewing a plantation

We would be glad to provide you with more information about planning short rotation plantations and can offer you a guided tour of our show plantations in Dortmund.

You can make an appointment by contacting