The provincial Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources says he remains confident that a biofuel pellet plant will be developed in the Hawke’s Bay area.

Gerry Byrne says AEG, the parent company of Timberlands, has decided to revise some of its harvesting and development schedules.

Byrne says the provincial government did not offer the company any subsidies, but did provide them with a timber harvesting permit last November with strict conditions that they harvest 25 percent of their five-year timber allocation by May of 2021.

The Minister says the clock is ticking, and no harvesting has taken place.

There is a strong potential, says Byrne, that the amount of timber originally assigned will be reduced, and it appears the company is adjusting its business forecast accordingly.

Byrne says although it’s a use it or loose it situation, he remains hopeful that the pellet plant will be developed.