Islay’s Bunnahabhain distillery has announced it will switch to using biomass, using a by-product of distillation (spent malt, known as draff) and wood chippings from 15 miles away as fuel for its 8000kg/hr steam system.

The switch will mean the company no longer has to use 1.4 million litres of oil each year and transport it from the mainland, and reduce carbon emissions by 3.5kt. It says improved forest management will also help peat bog restoration.
The £6.5 million project has been funded by AMP Clean Energy who will own, manage and operate the biomass system. It is currently being constructed by AMP Clean Energy’s appointed contractor and project developer, Dallol Energy Limited, and will be operational by Spring 2022.

Julian Patton, International Supply Chain Director at Distell International, owner of Bunnahabhain Distillery, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for Bunnahabhain distillery and whisky production on Islay. The Scotch Whisky Association has set a net zero target of 2040 and a lot of work is underway by our team in pursuit of achieving this goal long before this.

“The biomass centre makes Bunnahabhain Islay’s first distillery with a Net Zero distillation process, and we’re extremely proud, not only of the scale of the project but the entirely locally sourced fuelling system, which supports the island’s forests and economy.”

Existing conifer forests on the island are being replanted with mixed hardwood and softwood. Some peat bog that is currently planted will also be restored. Ash from the nutrient rich biomass fuel will then be used as fertiliser for the replanted forest.