Swift Government Action on Policy needed to Mobilise Bioenergy
The need for the government to immediately open the main support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and to progress with a feed in tariff for biogas were the top priorities for delegates attending todays Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) conference held at Croke Park.
The theme of the conference sponsored by CPL Industries and DWF is ‘Mobilising Bioenergy with Policy and Action’. The conference brings together delegates from across the main bioenergy sectors of biomass, biogas, biofuels and energy crops who gather to discuss the actions needed to mobilise the bioenergy industry with a particular focus on technology, investment and the climate change agenda as we transition to more renewables and sustainable energy sources.
The potential for the bioenergy sector in Ireland is huge and swift government action on bioenergy policy can accelerate economic growth, sustain thousands of jobs especially in rural areas, improve environmental quality, drastically cut CO2 emissions, assist in meeting our international renewable energy commitments and avoiding EU fines.
Speaking in his opening address Seán Finan CEO of IrBEA stated “Our immediate priority is the roll out of the full SSRH scheme. The industry has had many promised and expected launch dates of SSRH which have come and gone. The industry eagerly awaits the launch of this scheme. We call on Minister Bruton to clarify today the timelines for the scheme launch. The industry demand certainty on the scheme timelines as they are currently organising staffing and work plans for the remainder of the year”
Opening the conference, Chair of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Communication, Climate Action and Environment Hildegarde Naughton T.D. updated all attendees on the work of her committee and the role bioenergy can play in addressing the climate change challenges facing Ireland.
In his presentation President of the Irish Bioenergy Association Des O’Toole and Coillte’s Biomass Development Manager highlighted the potential for forestry and biomass as key elements of our bioenergy sector.
Mr O’Toole said “The bioenergy sector is a key part of the overall forestry ecosystem and has an important part to play in its growth. As well as contributing towards Ireland’s ambitious renewable energy targets and Ireland’s transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to a low carbon economy, the expected growth in demand for biomass will be a key outlet for the increased supply of fibre projected over the next 10 years’’.
Paddy Phelan Vice President of IrBEA said “Clear and obvious economic benefits of the local energy supply chain and it’s natural position as a low carbon energy supply, which will future proof us within the Renewable Energy Directive II requirements of less than 60g of CO2 per unit of energy produced by 2026 on the island Ireland”.
IrBEA actively promotes the huge potential for development of a meaningful biogas industry in Ireland.
Finan continued” As an agriculture country, we have an abundance of feedstock. There are many benefits for biogas across many government departments. These include reducing agricultural emissions, improving water quality, economic and jobs in rural and decarbonisation of our gas network and transport fleet with green gas to name but a few”
For a biogas industry to be stimulated it will need a government support in terms of a feed in tariff. A high percentage of a tariff provided would go directly back to farmers in rural Ireland for the purchase of feedstock by biogas operators.
Finan concluded “This support needs to be assessed by looking at the multi benefits of biogas from a climate, emissions reduction, jobs perspective across a number of government department rather than looking at this as simply a financial cost to the exchequer.”
ENDS
CONTACT: Seán Finan, IrBEA CEO, +353 87 4146480 or seanfinan@irbea.org
EDITOR’S NOTES:
Photo Attached: Des O’Toole IrBEA President and Coillte Business Development Manager, Chair of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Communication, Climate Action and Environment Hildegarde Naughton T.D. Sean Finan CEO IrBEA
PRESS RELEASE: IrBEA National Bioenergy Conference – Bioenergy Future Ireland – Croke Park Dublin
/in All News, Featured, Press Releases /by demoirbea2015Swift Government Action on Policy needed to Mobilise Bioenergy
The need for the government to immediately open the main support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) and to progress with a feed in tariff for biogas were the top priorities for delegates attending todays Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) conference held at Croke Park.
The theme of the conference sponsored by CPL Industries and DWF is ‘Mobilising Bioenergy with Policy and Action’. The conference brings together delegates from across the main bioenergy sectors of biomass, biogas, biofuels and energy crops who gather to discuss the actions needed to mobilise the bioenergy industry with a particular focus on technology, investment and the climate change agenda as we transition to more renewables and sustainable energy sources.
The potential for the bioenergy sector in Ireland is huge and swift government action on bioenergy policy can accelerate economic growth, sustain thousands of jobs especially in rural areas, improve environmental quality, drastically cut CO2 emissions, assist in meeting our international renewable energy commitments and avoiding EU fines.
Speaking in his opening address Seán Finan CEO of IrBEA stated “Our immediate priority is the roll out of the full SSRH scheme. The industry has had many promised and expected launch dates of SSRH which have come and gone. The industry eagerly awaits the launch of this scheme. We call on Minister Bruton to clarify today the timelines for the scheme launch. The industry demand certainty on the scheme timelines as they are currently organising staffing and work plans for the remainder of the year”
Opening the conference, Chair of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Communication, Climate Action and Environment Hildegarde Naughton T.D. updated all attendees on the work of her committee and the role bioenergy can play in addressing the climate change challenges facing Ireland.
In his presentation President of the Irish Bioenergy Association Des O’Toole and Coillte’s Biomass Development Manager highlighted the potential for forestry and biomass as key elements of our bioenergy sector.
Mr O’Toole said “The bioenergy sector is a key part of the overall forestry ecosystem and has an important part to play in its growth. As well as contributing towards Ireland’s ambitious renewable energy targets and Ireland’s transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to a low carbon economy, the expected growth in demand for biomass will be a key outlet for the increased supply of fibre projected over the next 10 years’’.
Paddy Phelan Vice President of IrBEA said “Clear and obvious economic benefits of the local energy supply chain and it’s natural position as a low carbon energy supply, which will future proof us within the Renewable Energy Directive II requirements of less than 60g of CO2 per unit of energy produced by 2026 on the island Ireland”.
IrBEA actively promotes the huge potential for development of a meaningful biogas industry in Ireland.
Finan continued” As an agriculture country, we have an abundance of feedstock. There are many benefits for biogas across many government departments. These include reducing agricultural emissions, improving water quality, economic and jobs in rural and decarbonisation of our gas network and transport fleet with green gas to name but a few”
For a biogas industry to be stimulated it will need a government support in terms of a feed in tariff. A high percentage of a tariff provided would go directly back to farmers in rural Ireland for the purchase of feedstock by biogas operators.
Finan concluded “This support needs to be assessed by looking at the multi benefits of biogas from a climate, emissions reduction, jobs perspective across a number of government department rather than looking at this as simply a financial cost to the exchequer.”
ENDS
CONTACT: Seán Finan, IrBEA CEO, +353 87 4146480 or seanfinan@irbea.org
EDITOR’S NOTES:
Photo Attached: Des O’Toole IrBEA President and Coillte Business Development Manager, Chair of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Communication, Climate Action and Environment Hildegarde Naughton T.D. Sean Finan CEO IrBEA
Minister Bruton to Submit Draft National Energy and Climate Plan to European Commission
/in All News /by demoirbea2015The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton T.D. yesterday the first draft of Ireland’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). It will now be submitted to the European Commission. A final plan will have to be submitted in twelve months’ time. From then on, all member states will be required to outline their energy and climate policies in detail each year, for the period 2021 to 2030, and onwards to 2050. IrBEA will take time to review this document and revert back to members for feedback in the new year.
The link to draft NECP plan is available here.
Publication of CRM Supported Capacity Mandatory Status Consultation Paper
/in All News /by demoirbea2015SEM-18-176: CRM Supported Capacity Mandatory Status Consultation Paper – the document can be found here
Installation of Ireland’s first Renewable Gas Injection Facility
/in All News, Featured /by demoirbea2015Installation of Ireland’s first Renewable Gas injection facility is underway this week with the Grid Injection Unit delivery from Thyson Technologies to the site at Cush, Co Kildare. NRGE are the Project Team for this installation. The installation will be capable of injecting 10 million M3 of renewable gas annually. It is a small step on the road to meeting Ireland’s carbon reduction commitments.
Seán Finan Talks to Agriland About Irish Bioenergy Association and the Potential for Biogas
/in All News, Biogas & Anaerobic Digestion /by demoirbea2015Calls are mounting for a biogas industry to be rolled out nationwide in a bid to bolster farm incomes and reduce Ireland’s agricultural carbon footprint. This week sees episode 15 of Farmland, Seán Finan, the CEO of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) urges the Government to develop policy and financial supports to bolster the sector. IrBEA believes a biogas industry could sustain rural economies into the future. He talks in details about IRBEA role in developing the bioenergy sector in the Island of Ireland both north and south, he also focuses on the imminent launch of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat. View this 15 minute interview covering a wide range of topics between Claire McCormack and Seán Finan here
IrBEA Submission to National Energy and Climate Plan Consultation
/in All News, Submissions /by demoirbea2015Members can find the IrBEA submission to the National Energy and Climate Plan Consultation here. We would like to thank all the members who provided feedback for inclusion in the document. If any member has any queries on any aspect of the submission please feel free to contact Seán Finan at seanfinan@irbea.org
Report from Biochar & Activated Carbon Conference
/in All News, ReDirect /by demoirbea2015The Irish BioEnergy Association (IrBEA) and the Western Development Commission (WDC) are the Irish partners in the Interreg North West European project called RE-DIRECT . This project supports turning waste, low value or residual biomass into high value carbon products such as Biochar and Activated Carbon.
The vision is to establish regional hubs where biomass from the surrounding areas can be converted into biochar or activated carbon. These are charcoal-like materials that are very porous with large internal surface areas and a high capacity to absorb contaminants. This makes them useful for a wide variety of applications ranging from waste water treatment to soil amendment and remediation, to gas cleaning. The innovative pyrolysis technology used can also produce a clean renewable fuel.
Danish Bioenergy Delegation hosted in Ireland by Danish Embassy, IrBEA & 3CEA
/in All News, Featured /by demoirbea2015IrBEA along with Deloitte invited personnel from the Bioenergy sector to an early morning breakfast briefing recently. Participants received information on funding opportunities for research and also funding for renewable energy project developments. Speakers included Pat Martin – Department of Communications Climate Action & Environment who talked about the Life Funding Programme, Brian McDonnell from Deloitte discussed the primary RD&I funding available in Ireland including tax incentives and grants and Joanne Sheehan from Enterprise Ireland also spoke and focused on Enterprise Ireland funding opportunities. This event was well attended and was useful to companies planning or involved in innovative projects who wished to learn more about potential research and development funding options and efficient taxation management. The presentations can be viewed here
IrBEA Continues to Lobby for the Opening of the Full SSRH Scheme
/in All News, Featured /by demoirbea2015IrBEA CEO Seán Finan recently met informally with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D. He briefed the Minister on the work of IrBEA and the urgent need to fully open the SSRH scheme. This informal meeting following a formal meeting on the SSRH scheme which took place recently between IrBEA and senior officials from the Heat policy division within the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment. This meeting was attended by Sean Finan CEO, Des O’Toole President and Paddy Phelan Vice President. The Department confirmed at the meeting that they expect to open the full SSRH scheme by the end of the year. IrBEA continues to lobby at all levels for the full opening of the SSRH scheme.
Presentations from Bioenergy Funding Breakfast Briefing
/in All News /by demoirbea2015IrBEA along with Deloitte invited personnel from the Bioenergy sector to an early morning breakfast briefing recently. Participants received information on funding opportunities for research and also funding for renewable energy project developments. Speakers included Pat Martin – Department of Communications Climate Action & Environment who talked about the Life Funding Programme, Brian McDonnell from Deloitte discussed the primary RD&I funding available in Ireland including tax incentives and grants and Joanne Sheehan from Enterprise Ireland also spoke and focused on Enterprise Ireland funding opportunities. This event was well attended and was useful to companies planning or involved in innovative projects who wished to learn more about potential research and development funding options and efficient taxation management. The presentations can be viewed here