The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) 24th National Bioenergy conference was held at the Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare. The title of this year’s conference is ‘Bioenergy Now: Let’s make it happen’. This year’s conference is kindly sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Worrell Timber Group.
Delivering the conference opening address, Maurice Ryan, President of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) and Director of Business Development for Green Belt said:
“There is no doubt that the time for bioenergy is now, given the challenges facing us in terms of climate change, decarbonisation and delivery on Ireland’s renewable energy targets. There is significant opportunity and great potential for all forms of bioenergy including the role of forestry and timber production as valuable income drivers in rural communities. It is incumbent on the government and industry to further encourage the forestry program, to increase the land availability for forestry and woodland development and to work towards attaining our climate targets. The Government has ambitious targets to increase the amount of timber used in buildings and construction, which must be based around indigenous timber supply. The bioenergy sector and renewable heat produced, using solid biomass is a key enabler of sustainable forest management, which is vital to maximising the potential of the forest for timber production.”
There is significant potential to drive forward with the deployment of bioenergy in Ireland in all its forms including solid biomass, biogas/biomethane, liquid biofuels, biochar, wood fuels and energy crops.
Seán Finan, CEO of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) said:
“The building blocks for the development of the Irish bioenergy industry are beginning to line up. We now need to see an acceleration on the roll out of key policy and legislative frameworks to bring projects forward and drive action on the ground in project development.”
The key messages arising from today’s conference include:
Biogas/Biomethane
- That the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) scheme is implemented as quickly as possible.
- The Government issue the RHO scheme notifications to the EU commission as a matter of urgency.
- IrBEA members are calling for the RHO scheme ambition to be published immediately up to 2035 and beyond.
- That details of the capital funding for biomethane development are published.
- That a minimum 50% capital support is introduced for farm-scale biogas plants.
- Issues in planning, licensing and regulation are addressed to develop the sector.
Solid Biomass and wood fuels
- Extension of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) to the ETS sector.
- Removal of the SSRH scheme cap (1MW).
- Requirement for enhanced Government, policy and industry recognition for the solid sector as the cheapest form of renewable heat available.
- Solid biomass included as an eligible fuel in the RHO with no restriction on its use in fulfilling obligation requirements.
- Address gaps in enforcement of the solid fuel regulations.
Liquid biofuels
- Introduction of legislation for a minimum inclusion of Irish produced biodiesel in any future increased blending rates (B10 / B20).
- Irish Government address issues around fraudulent and unsustainable non-EU liquid. fuels which are impacting indigenous Irish biofuel and biomethane producers.
- Introduce measures to grow and support indigenous biofuel production.
Biochar and carbon products
- Recognition for biochar in Irish carbon removal frameworks and policy.
- Enhanced research on uses for biochar.
- Awareness of the role of biochar in addressing common challenges and reducing emissions in biomaterials, construction, as a bio-fertiliser and bio-fuel.
Finan concluded:
“IrBEA and its members are eager to meaningfully contribute to decarbonisation, emissions reductions and renewable energy targets. IrBEA are ready to take the next steps to make bioenergy happen now.”
About the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) National Bioenergy Conference
This is the 24th National Bioenergy Conference and the title of this year’s conference is “Bioenergy Now: Let’s make it happen”. This year’s conference is kindly sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Worrell Timber Group. Full details of the agenda, speakers and exhibitors can be found at www.nationalbioenergyconference.ie
About the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA)
IrBEA was founded in 1999. Its role is to promote the bioenergy industry and to develop the important sector of solid biomass, liquid biofuels, biogas/biomethane, biochar, energy crops and wood fuels on the island of Ireland. The diverse membership includes farmers and foresters, fuel suppliers, energy development companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, engineers, financiers and tax advisers, legal firms, consultants, planners, research organisations, local authorities, education, and advisory bodies – anyone with an interest in the bioenergy industry. IrBEA is recognised by Government and agencies as the voice of the bioenergy industry. The association’s main objectives are to influence policy makers to promote the development of bioenergy, and to promote the interests of members. Improving public awareness, networking, and information sharing, and liaising with similar interest groups are other key areas of work in promoting bioenergy as an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable energy. Further information on the association is available at www.irbea.org