Forestry Management and Clean Energy in the Tramuntana Mountains

This pilot project converts forest residues into biomass for public boilers

What does it consist of?

Between 2017 and 2024, the Mancomunitat de Tramuntana promoted a pilot project to explore how to transform forest residues into thermal energy for public buildings. The initiative, partly funded with sustainable tourism tax, has sought a sustainable model that reduces fire risk, uses local resources and revamps the rural environment.

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Data

PROJECT TITLE IN THE CALL
The Serra de Tramuntana, a well-managed forestry environment
LOCATION
Mallorca
Entity submitting the PROJECT
Federació d'Entitats Locals de les Illes Balears
Entity that executes the project
Mancomunitat de Tramuntana
Project code
ITS2017-010
Total project amount
355.619 €
ITS granted amount
355.619 €
Executed amount
171.181 €
Call year
2017
Budget implementation status
Executed
Purpose
Environment
Budget execution
Executed: 48.14%
Last updated
08.05.2025

The project

With close to 80% forest cover, the Tramuntana Mountains face a twofold challenge: preventing fires and maintaining a world heritage landscape. In this context, the project promoted by the Mancomunitat de Tramuntana, with funding from sustainable tourism tax, has sought to test on the ground whether it’s viable to use biomass from forest clean-ups as fuel for boilers in public facilities.

The study took place on public and private land that was difficult to access, on complex terrain. For this reason, the project had not just a technical purpose, but also a strategic one: to test a management system that could be replicated in other mountain towns. The study includes the analysis of logistics costs, energy yield and sustainable operating conditions.

Biomass-fired boilers have been installed in public buildings such as schools and sports centres. From here, thermal efficiency and emission reductions have been monitored. It is thought that this locally-sourced renewable energy will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, while also boosting the rural economy by creating a value chain around forest management.

In the medium term, the project aims to be a model for others. Not only because of its potential multiplier effect in other municipalities, but also because it offers a framework for environmental management, clean energy and local development. For forest owners, it’s also a source of income that rewards their role in maintaining the landscape and preventing natural hazards.