I am very keen to know the Ministers plans for the promotion of AD in the Republic Ireland for generation of renewable energy. From what is apparently true, Northern Ireland has granted planning permission for the construction of 30 AD facitilies out of 100 application to date as this is part of the initative/strategy to improve sustainability of energy from renewable sources while reducing their CO2 emissions. It seems the republic is lagging far behind with I believe to be less than 5 planning applications granted for construction of AD facilities. The Republic seems to be investing all PSO levies acquired money into wind energy and we all know that is not a reliable source.
My question is firstly: Why is there a PSO levy increase on the cards if we are generating electricity from renewable sources, should we not be stagnent or begin to see reductions?
Secondly why are we not doing more to encourage the construction of AD facilities in the republic when there is an EU directive for us to reduce biodegradable landfill municipal waste to 400,000 tonnes per annum by 2016.
An AD facilities requires approximately 20,000 tonnes of organic waste per annum to produce 1MW of electricity. Surely if our existing levels are at 600,000 tonnes there is scope to construct a further 10-15 just to cover our municipal waste. Then if you factor in the addition of animal slurries, maze, silage and energy crops there is scope for many more. AD is a proven technology that can be sustained with I believe the potential to provide approximately 12% of our energy needs per annum. Coupled with the increasing population and the planned 50% increase of dairy farming by 2020 we will be producing more methane gases, more slury and more animal wastes as a result. Does the government have a plan in place to counteract this.?
My figures may not be accurate so if the Minister could comment to put me straight it will be much appreciated
Brendan Farrell
Posted on 24 Oct 2013 7:31 am
To the Ministers office,
I am very keen to know the Ministers plans for the promotion of AD in the Republic Ireland for generation of renewable energy. From what is apparently true, Northern Ireland has granted planning permission for the construction of 30 AD facitilies out of 100 application to date as this is part of the initative/strategy to improve sustainability of energy from renewable sources while reducing their CO2 emissions. It seems the republic is lagging far behind with I believe to be less than 5 planning applications granted for construction of AD facilities. The Republic seems to be investing all PSO levies acquired money into wind energy and we all know that is not a reliable source.
My question is firstly: Why is there a PSO levy increase on the cards if we are generating electricity from renewable sources, should we not be stagnent or begin to see reductions?
Secondly why are we not doing more to encourage the construction of AD facilities in the republic when there is an EU directive for us to reduce biodegradable landfill municipal waste to 400,000 tonnes per annum by 2016.
An AD facilities requires approximately 20,000 tonnes of organic waste per annum to produce 1MW of electricity. Surely if our existing levels are at 600,000 tonnes there is scope to construct a further 10-15 just to cover our municipal waste. Then if you factor in the addition of animal slurries, maze, silage and energy crops there is scope for many more. AD is a proven technology that can be sustained with I believe the potential to provide approximately 12% of our energy needs per annum. Coupled with the increasing population and the planned 50% increase of dairy farming by 2020 we will be producing more methane gases, more slury and more animal wastes as a result. Does the government have a plan in place to counteract this.?
My figures may not be accurate so if the Minister could comment to put me straight it will be much appreciated
Regards
Brendan