Untapped wood from forestry to help fuel New Zealand industry
EECA media release
1 October 2026
The country’s supply of sustainable wood fuel is ramping up with work underway to capture previously unused forestry material and investigate new wood energy manufacturing plants. “When businesses are looking at energy options, woody biomass could provide an economic alternative to help keep manufacturer’s processes running and jobs in regions across New Zealand,” said Richard Briggs, EECA Group Manager, Delivery & Partnerships.
“We know from regional analysis by EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) that there’s a significant, untapped supply of wood fibre from the forest that could be fuelling our industries.” Woody biomass provides lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels when sustainably sourced and managed..