WPAC CONFERENCE A Maritime welcome to everyone! I’m excited to invite you to join us at the Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s 2025 Annual Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Canada’s Maritime provinces are actively developing renewable energy, with a focus on transitioning away from fossil fuels. “ Biomass for a Low-Carbon Future ,” our conference theme, highlights key roles for biomass and wood pellets. Seven wood pellet plants operate in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, meeting regional demand and exporting fuel to the United Kingdom and Europe. Local governments are seeing the benefits. Nova Scotia recently directed all government departments to use biomass for heating. The province has pushed for the increased use of wood pellets, biomass, and biofuels made with leftovers from wood harvesting and sawmill operations to make Nova Scotia more self-reliant and energy secure according to Nova Scotia Minister of Public Works Fred Tilley. New Brunswick Power’s board of directors has given the green light to convert its coal-fired power plant to heat-treated biomass. The utility plans to phase out coal at the 450MW power plant at the Port of Belledune and replace feedstock fully with biomass by 2029. Conference keynote speaker Dr. Jamie Stephen will highlight the use of local forest biomass for heat and power generation, to ensure energy expenditures stay within a region and safeguard energy security. Sept. 23-24, 2025 Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, Halifax MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Experts will discuss other trending topics, including: • Safe biomass storage practices; • Bioheat opportunities in remote and rural Canadian communities; • How Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) can turn biomass into climate progress; • The role for biomass to reduce emissions across hard-to-abate industries and existing heat and power generation systems; • The future of Canada’s wood pellet industry in a world of regulatory changes and shifting trade policies; and • Bioenergy’s transformative role in decarbonizing aviation, marine transport, rail and trucking sectors It’s important to acknowledge that none of this could happen without our sponsors and extend a huge thank you for your support. Our annual conference is a great way for colleagues to reunite and explore opportunities to incorporate biomass and wood pellets into a responsible energy future. Join us for some famous East Coast hospitality in Halifax! All the best, Gordon Murray Executive Director CONFERENCE SPONSORS Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors 26 Canadian BIOMASS SUMMER 2025
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