I KNOW this may come as a shock, but for once I am in agreement with the Greens: Tasmania does need more renewable energy capacity to provide a future buffer against the sort of perfect energy storm we are confronting today.

I've been advocating for more renewable energy for years.

It's called biomass and the rest of the world is a long way in front - it caught on years ago.

Most bioenergy is generated from residues from forestry operations.

In Europe, it's standard practice and in places such as Austria, the Greens are among the most enthusiastic supporters.

The opportunities for renewable wood-fired power in Tasmania are substantial and they exist right around the state.

Unlike hydro, biomass doesn't rely on rain; unlike solar, it doesn't shut down when the sun doesn't shine; and, unlike wind, it doesn't run out of puff on even the calmest of still days.

It is reliable, renewable and carbon neutral.

The forest residues that will be used for biomass energy will come from sustainably managed value-adding forestry operations in the private and public sectors.

The public land - the Permanent Timber Production Zone - is the very same production zone identified by Labor and the Greens when they were in government.

This will ensure on-island use of a substantial volume of residues - something the government has consistently favoured over export options.

In Tasmania, significant volumes of residues are generated each year - enough to produce nearly as much power as the Tarraleah Power Station just from existing residues and without cutting down a single additional tree. Or to put it another way, that's enough energy to power 70,000 homes for a year.

More than a decade ago, Jim Bacon and Paul Lennon worked with Forestry Tasmania to develop the Southwood project in the Huon.

In addition to the sawmill and peeler plant, Southwood was designed to incorporate a biomass power plant fed by forestry residues. Predictably, the Greens and the environment movement opposed it and the Southwood power plant never made it off the drawing board.

However, the site is still there, approvals are in place, the transmission lines have been installed and the feedstock - residues from our always-growing, renewable production forests - remains available.

Southwood remains investment-ready to add significantly to our energy capacity.

In light of the recent unprecedented events affecting our energy security, I can confirm that Southwood is once again being actively considered by the government.

It is also looking at options for biomass in the North and North-East as well.

Along with wind and solar, investing in biomass will help provide a secure, sustainable source of renewable power to help inoculate Tasmania against future energy shocks.

The opportunities also extend well beyond forestry.

Internationally, biomass feedstocks include agricultural and horticultural crops and by-products and even urban waste.

The alternative is to turn our backs on the opportunity altogether or to continue burning residues on the forest floor.

By looking at biomass opportunities around the state, we will be doing both our community and our environment a favour.

Paul Harriss is the state Resources Minister