Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Energy Plant Certification: Commission for the Regulation of Utilities

Dr. Paul McGowan:

I assure the Senator that we do not have a view on biomass that it is any more or less favourable than any other fuel. While we have a vision to secure a low-carbon future, in the assessment of biomass it is clear that there is a technical process to undergo. In the case of this particular plant, we have followed the detailed, technical process set out in legislation. The real issues are the economic assessment, whether primary energy savings are available, and how much useful heat is produced by the plant. There is nothing in the process that requires it to be biomass or anything else. It is very much focused on the economic assessment.

The source of the biomass is not relevant to the process. It is the price of the fuel that is factored into the economic assessment. Whether it is produced in the US and shipped or whether it is produced locally, the economic case that is put forward concerns the input cost and the revenue from sales.

I will pass over to my colleagues to discuss the process, what we have learned from it and the question about similar plants.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.