What are dedicated energy plantations?

Dedicated energy plantations are densely planted areas of fast-growing plants. For producing woody biomass for energy stands of fast growing trees (often called as dedicated energy crops) such as hybrid willow, poplar or cottonwood are planted solely for the purpose of being harvested entirely for energy. The stands are managed on short rotations and claims have been made that these crops can be harvested in as few as three to five years after planting. Plantations may contain species which may be coppiced (regenerated from stump sprouting) instead of being completely removed at harvest. Research is still needed to document establishment costs and production rates for different species on specific sites. Because establishment and management costs may be high, energy plantations may not produce a positive economic return until wood-energy markets are bringing higher prices for woody biomass

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