Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

257. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the use of biomass at Ireland's peat burning power stations, Edenderry, Loughree, and west Offaly; the percentage of biomass used in co-firing at the three peat power stations; the tonnage and percentage of biomass supplied from Bord na Móna willow plantations, Coillte Teoranta and a company (details supplied); the outlook for expanding willow production and Coillte Teoranta sourced biomass; if straw from agricultural tillage is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3308/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Within the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to further decrease Ireland's dependence on imported fossil fuels through the use of indigenous renewable energy resources. This commitment builds upon the recognition in the 2015 Energy White Paper of the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050. Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future will ultimately involve moving to lower emissions fuels (e.g. moving initially from peat and coal to gas), and ultimately towards a greater reliance on renewable energy, including biomass. It is important to note, however, that the fuel used in power stations is a matter for the operators involved and I have no role or function in this regard.

However, I am aware that there is substantial co-firing of biomass with peat taking place at the Edenderry plant operated by Bord na Móna.Currently, this plant is receiving support under REFIT 3.  I have been informed that in 2016 the total biomass usage at the Edenderry Power Plant was 317,962 tonnes, of this 99,022 tonnes was imported.  The two ESB operated plants cited by the Deputy are not presently receiving support under REFIT 3, yet I understand that they have been undertaking trials with different forms of biomass. 

The Bioenergy Scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine previously provided once-off capital grants to facilitate the establishment of willow for use in renewable energy production.  However, uptake on the Scheme was poor and attracted only four applications in 2015.  The continuation of a support scheme to grow bioenergy crops is now under review.

In addition, Bord na Móna and Coillte Teoranta are presently developing proposals to establish a partnership, to be known as Bioenergy Ireland, which would seek to stimulate both the demand and supply sides of the biomass market with a range of company-led initiatives.

In 2016, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) published its report ‘Bioenergy Supply in Ireland 2015-2035’ in which a number of bioenergy resources were examined in detail, including straw.  This report can be downloaded from the SEAI website at