asked the Minister for Energy the up to date position on research and development in relation to biomass development here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Biomass Development.
7.
There are a number of research and development projects being undertaken or considered in the area of biomass. The more notable developments are as follows.
My Department are contributing towards the cost of a project in County Leitrim which is being undertaken by An Foras Talúntais and the National Board for Science and Technology with the co-operation of two farmers. The project involves the growing of about 16 acres of willow and poplar trees of which about ten acres are already planted. The remaining six acres will be planted for the next growing season. This is a renewal of an earlier project which showed limited success. It is planned to have the project completed in 1989.
The Department are also involved in the EC research and development programme on various aspects of energy, including biomass. Proposals for projects in this area are still under adjudication by the Commission including nine Irish biomass projects.
The IIRS are completing a biomass scoping study commissioned by my Department. The results will provide information on the potential for biomass in Ireland, the existing usage of biomass, wood and wood waste as a source of energy, and the economic worth of promoting conversion to biomass as a source of energy.
Other organisations outside the aegis of my Department are also engaged in biomass projects and it is my intention to promote full co-operation between all the institutions involved with a view to ensuring the best returns on the relevant expenditures.
Is the Minister in a position to tell the House why the previous project was only a limited success in view of the fact that the growing of the willow species has been successful in Northern Ireland and Great Britain?
A combination of factors resulted in very poor growth. In 1983 it became apparent that the crop was being attacked by slugs and overgrown vegetation. A similar problem occurred in 1984 and on one side the trees were attacked underground by leather jacket grubs. The simple answer is that both sides suffered from the droughts of 1983 and 1984 and that may have been the reason for the lack of success of the project. We are anxious to continue with our experiment in this area because we feel there may be some scope for its use in future years. However, I am not very enthusiastic about the results that have been achieved to date.
Have the Department investigated any other type of tree for a biomass project?
No, two types are being tested on this project, willow and poplar.
Is the Minister aware that an experiment in relation to biomass was carried out by Bord na Móna in the midlands? Is the Minister in a position to give the results of that experiment? Is he aware that the huge amount of cut-away bog in that area is ideal for such experiments?
I think the Deputy is referring to a demonstration programme carried out by Bord na Móna. The areas involved were Clonsast in County Offaly and Oweninny in County Mayo. There was not a successful growth in the areas concerned and the major causes of inadequate growth were the absence of suitable depths of ameliorated top soil, inadequate plant nutrition and, to a lesser extent, drainage. There were other minor technical problems but the fact is that the biomass demonstration project was not a great success.
Is it a fact that it was the poor quality of the land in County Leitrim that contributed to the bad results in the tests carried out in that county? Is the Minister in a position to say that it takes better quality land to get good results for willow and poplar?
It is not unreasonable to assume that there would have been better results if the experiment took place on better land but a better return could be obtained for all crops on better land. We are in a catch 22 situation.
May we take it that the experiments have not worked? Is it the view of the Department that there is little ground for the high expectations held out in regard to biomass production here for a number of years?
I have not been greatly encouraged by the experiments carried out. The Department are involved in the project in County Leitrim. Research by the Forestry and Wildlife Service is continuing. They have about 220 hectares at eight sites. The IIRS are a collection agency for the International Energy Agency Biomass Conversion Technical Information Agreement. It is also understood that Bord na Móna are having discussions with An Foras Talúntais with a view to preparing a biomass research and development project. I must emphasise that we are at an experiment stage in regard to biomass. I do not think too much should be expected at this stage of the development of the sites. Perhaps in some years time when greater experience has been gained we will see biomass as a very useful source of energy.
Has the experiment been successful in Northern Ireland?
I am not aware of that but I will make details of the project available to the Deputy in due course.
We may be able to learn something from them.