My Department, in conjunction with Teagasc and COFORD, have been actively encouraging the development of new markets for forest thinnings in the heat energy sector through a range of support measures aimed at creating an effective supply chain from producer to end user.
In 2007 my Department introduced a new capital grant scheme to support emerging enterprises in the wood chip supply sector. To date, the Wood Biomass Harvesting Machinery Grant Scheme has provided grants totalling €550,000 to support the purchase of 4 self contained/self propelled whole tree chippers and 3 mobile whole tree chippers, stimulating an associated investment of some €1.6m within the sector. The additional wood energy harvesting capacity created by this support measure will have a significant impact in assisting developing enterprises in the wood chip supply sector. The scheme is now closed.
Since 2006 COFORD (National Council for Forest Research and Development), which is wholly-funded by my Department, has been managing the ForestEnergy Programme in association with Teagasc and Waterford Institute of Technology. To date, the programme has operated a series of nationwide forest thinning and chipping demonstrations, trials and workshops aimed at developing the wood biomass supply chain. The programme, which is specifically aimed at forest owners, managers and contractors wishing to become involved in the wood biomass supply chain, will continue in 2008 and details of further events will be announced shortly.
COFORD, Teagasc and SEI organised the recent Bioenergy 08 event, held as part ofFarmFest 08, to raise awareness across all sectors on the many uses and benefits of growing, harvesting and using wood fuels and energy crop products to generate heat, electricity and fuel for our homes and businesses.
Another initiative currently underway is a number of pilot "Forestry Producer Group" type projects, funded by my Department, such as the "Clare Wood Energy Project" in Clare, the "Forest Link" project in Donegal and the "Cork and Galway Producer Group Project". These projects are aimed at providing a number of benefits including the better marketing of wood produced by farmer/foresters and also giving a kick-start to the creation, in a coordinated way, of a wood fuel supply network. These measures are aimed at stimulating the supply of wood energy, thereby complementing schemes such as the Renewable Heat Deployment Programme (ReHeat) and Greener Homes Scheme operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland, which aim to stimulate the demand for wood energy.