About

Dr Ger Devlin
Dr Ger Devlin is the Chief Executive Officer with IrBEA, he holds a PhD in Biosystems Engineering from UCD and a PDip in Advanced Management Performance from UCD Michael Smurfit Business School. He has successfully co-ordinated and managed both publicly and privately funded research projects in the areas sustainable biomass supply chains, advanced biofuels and renewable technologies. He is also Ireland’s Team Leader for the IEA International Energy Agency’s Task 43 – Biomass Feedstocks for Energy Markets. Ger is looking forward to leading IrBEA and its members for a sustainable future in bioenergy and to strategically position bioenergy to play a key role in Ireland’s Sustainable BioEnergy Roadmap between now and 2035 and beyond.


Des O’Toole
Des is the Commercial Business Development Manager at Coillte. He directs and drives all biomass business development activities for the company. His main focus is to formulate and implement business development strategy and drive growth at Coillte which includes market intelligence, marketing, tender responses, lobbying, conference, PR and advocacy work. Des’ work involves engaging with stakeholders and nurturing key relationships within government and the business community. He has sat on the IrBEA management committee for 6 years and has been a valuable source of support, experience and advice for the Association. We welcome him as our new President.


Paddy Phelan
Paddy was appointed Manager of the Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency in September 2012. CKEA is working in partnership with local authorities in Carlow, Wexford, Galway and Kilkenny to implement energy management programme which hopes to achieve 33% reduction in energy consumption. The organisation works with the local rural development bodies to deliver sustainable community development projects for the region and enable large energy consumers and renewable energy developers to finance and implement projects which will facilitate reaching renewable energy 2020 targets and beyond. Paddy has been member of IrBEA for 5 years and currently sits on the management committee. He also sits on the board of IWFA, AIEA and brings a wealth of experience to the Association. We welcome him as our new Vice President.

