PRESS: Stakeholders gather in Croke Park for major bioenergy conference

Stakeholders from Ireland’s bioenergy and renewables sector gathered in Croke Park today, Wednesday, February 26, for a major conference exploring the “untapped potential” for biomass, biogass, biofuels and other alternative energy sources.

The IrBEA (Irish Bioenergy Association) National Bioenergy Conference was sponsored by Bord na Móna, and looked at several opportunities to expand Ireland’s bioenergy sector – including opportunities for agriculture in terms of on-farm bioenergy. Read the full article HERE

PRESS: Money from Grass, Gas and Glass – Farmers Journal talks to Seán Finan

In the Land Use Supplement of the Farmers Journal Amii McKeever reports on-farm renewable energy opportunities amongst the experts who contributed to this article Seán Finan  IrBEA CEO talks about the potential for domestic and non-domestic biomass heating and the potential for medium/large scale agriculture based biomethane plants to be developed by farm communities.  View the full article HERE

IrBEA work with Members & SEAI regarding Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) Applications

IrBEA has held recent meetings with SEAI on issued highlighted by members regarding the approval, sign off and other aspects of SSRH Applications. We recently communicated with members who install biomass systems highlighting the issues identified to date and sought feedback on any other recurring issues. We realise the urgency to address issues arising and as the industry representative body, we will be meeting SEAI as soon as possible to address and find practical solutions to the issues identified. We will follow up with members once the meetings have taken place.  If any member would like to discuss this further please do not hesitate to get in touch with Seán Finan IrBEA CEO (seanfinan@irbea.org).

Coillte Graduate Forest Programme 2020

Applications are invited for the Coillte Graduate Development Programme.  The Programme is offering talented individuals who have drive, energy and ambition an opportunity to be part of the future of Coillte.  We are offering recently qualified graduates a placement for two years.
We are looking specifically for graduates within forestry or engineering.  Students currently participating in their final year or who are awaiting results are also welcome to apply. Successful applicants will be taken into the Graduate Development Programme during November 2020.  To apply please ask any candidate to follow the instructions on the vacancy notice at www.coillte.ie/careers

IrBEA Meet EPA on proposal to regulate moisture content of firewood for sale in Ireland 23/03/2020

IrBEA CEO Seán Finan and Wood Fuel Quality Assurance committee chairman Eugene Hendrick met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air emissions officials recently to discuss the IrBEA proposals to regulate the moisture content of firewood for sale in Ireland. This meeting was part of an ongoing lobbying campaign for the introduction of regulations by the Department of the Environment in this area. The IrBEA proposal which have been developed in consultation with WFQA member wood fuel suppliers is very important to improve the standard and quality of wood fuels on the market and reduce particulate emissions from wood fuels at a domestic level. Research clearly articulates that there is a direct correlation between wet wood fuels and high particulate emissions. Particulate emissions are dramatically reduced from the burning of dry wood fuels. IrBEA will continue its lobbying efforts in this area for the introduction of regulation on phased basis over a specific timeframe. Full details of the IrBEA proposals are available HERE.