Growing Cycle of Miscanthus

Miscanthus is planted in the spring and can grow each year as a perennial for at least fifteen to twenty years. Its growth pattern is repeated every year for the lifetime of the Miscanthus crop, and this annual cane harvest provides an annual income to the farmer at minimal cost, with little or nothing to do, bar harvesting.

Miscanthus is one of the most environmentally friendly means of producing biomass for renewable energy. Every tonne of Miscanthus that replaces coal, reduces up to two tonnes less of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere, - creating a beneficial and sustainable impact on carbon emissions. Annual crops that use nitrogen fertiliser (derived from fossil fuels) compared, contribute just a small reduction in CO₂ emission, when their energy and carbon footprints are accurately calculated compared to Miscanthus. This can be properly considered by accurate and independent LCA (Life Cycle Analysis)