Description
One of the basic strategic goals of the EU is to promote the energy independence of the EU, while reducing CO2 emissions and strengthening local economies. The goal of the project Biomass Logistics Centre (hereinafter BLC), is to greatly increase support for the use of biomass in the regions of Zilina and Trencin, which will naturally have a carry-over effect on a large part of Slovakia. The main objective is to increase awareness and utilization of biomass – through the creation of BLC which will be built, equipped and brought into operation. BLC will offer the quality pellets, briquettes, wood chips and dried lump wood and will secure functional purchase, storage, packaging and shipping of all kinds of bio fuels and create 33 green employment opportunities. The project provides support for small and medium size businesses. Through consultations and various organized promotional events the general public and students will be targeted. Norwegian project partners will contribute to the project by using their experience and expertise and by introducing new technologies for biomass efficient processing.
Summary of project results
The project promoter succeeded in finalizing planned public procurement to fill all project output and indicators despite delays from the contractor. The negative impact on the overall result of the project was mainly due to the time-lag of the construction and technological part, but thanks to the extension of the term of eligibility of project expenditures, the progressive fulfillment of the indicators was done within the set timetable. The project promoter also successfully evaluated the number of activities carried out in the context of the promotion of the project and the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources. The project promoter is working intensively to launch all new environmental technologies and new customer service. The project promoter evaluated the project itself as very successful and the overall result of the project is very favorable due to the fulfillment of the indicators. Effective capitalization of acquired equipment, machines, vehicles, but also knowledge and experience is essential to ensure the sustainability of the project
Summary of bilateral results
Theproject promoter has established a partnership with 2 partners from the donor state. Collaboration started with the preparation of the project application, continued with the signing of the partnership and after the approval of the project application, the project implementation cooperation began. In the first month of the implementation of the project, a one-day joint opening conference and a two-day kick-off meeting of project partners took place. During the kick-off meeting, a detailed timetable for the tasks of individual project partners was developed, and Norwegian partners began to work on risk assessment, investment analysis, local economic impact analysis on project investments, analysis of future innovations and business opportunities. During the project, project partner meetings were held to prepare a study and analyze. In 2015, cooperation continued during a study trip to Norway aimed at enhancing the expertise of the project team in the field of using innovative technology in practice and in acquiring best practices and knowledge in the implementation of an efficient biomass processing system in forests (creation of collection points) in selecting suitable innovative biomass processing technologies, and in setting up a laboratory to measure quality parameters. In September 2016 a meeting with the Norwegian forestry group Norwegian project partner was held. The purpose of the meeting was to present the concept of the Business Plan of the Biomass Logistic Center, which is part of the financial analysis of the technical and economical study of the BLC operation. The meeting of the project partners was also part of the Final Conference. The project promoter together with the project partners evaluated the fulfillment of the project indicators. The Slovak and Norwegian project partners presented their results and evaluated the cooperation in the implementation of the project as a very successful and mutually beneficial one. Based on the data provided and the personal meetings, 2 studies were developed by the Norwegian Partners: Financial Analysis and the Technical and Economic Study of the Operation of the BLC