asked the Minister for Energy if he has any plans for utilising surplus forest thinning as a source of fuel or for generating electricity.
Written Answers. - Forest Thinning Utilisation.
309.
In the course of discussions with the Electricity Supply Board on future policy, I have indicated to the board that our electricity generation planning should be on the assumption of decreasing availability of primary energy from traditional external sources. Among the alternative or supplementary energy sources under development by Government agencies, biomass is one with the most immediate potential. The Electricity Supply Board have been active in promoting and participating in the national and international programmes to develop the use of renewable timber fuels. Successful tests of the use of timber wastes have already been carried out in the Cahirciveen Power Station. Further tests using thinnings from forests will shortly commence.
I also propose to pursue the possibility of timber briquette production based on forest thinnings as the raw material but these products would be primarily aimed at the domestic market.