Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2019
80. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to consider initiatives, or if his officials have worked with other Departments, on establishing an indigenous biomass crop supply chain to the peat plants in the future and to complement biomass currently being used for electricity generation to help maintain security of supply. [14006/19]
View answerThe three peat-fired electricity generating stations in Ireland, one owned by Bord na Móna and two by ESB, were awarded support for biomass combustion under the REFIT3 Scheme for up to 30% of the installed capacity up to 2030. Bord na Móna commenced co-firing at its Edenderry Plant with biomass in 2008, and it is expected that ESB will commence co-firing at its 2 peat fired plants with biomass in 2020, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission.
In relation to the supply of biomass, I am advised that Bord na Móna’s BioEnergy division sources sustainable biomass that is used at the Edenderry power station and that up to 80% of the biomass used in the Edenderry power station is from domestic sources. However, in the event that all three of the electricity generating plants referred to have planning permission to co-fire with biomass, it is unlikely that the amount of biomass required will be supplied from indigenous sources. It is likely that the supply deficit would be met initially by imports.
In addition to the three power stations, there is demand for biomass for use in industry and in residential heating, and the Government’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat will also create a demand for biomass supplies in the coming years.
As pointed out by COFORD, the advisory body appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to advise the Minister and his Department on issues related to the development of the forest sector in Ireland, in its recent reports on Wood Supply and Demand to 2025, and Mobilising Ireland’s Forest Resource, the key challenge is to ensure a balanced approach to the development of wood resource to best meet demand. Mobilising the private supply of indigenous resources is a key factor. As the supply of indigenous biomass increases, supported by the forestry programme and other measures, imported biomass will be displaced.
There is a wide range of Government Departments, agencies and State bodies that are critical enablers for the development of bioenergy by virtue of their responsibility for areas such as forestry, agriculture, waste, research funding and business development. The Bioenergy Steering Group, chaired by my Department, promotes co-operation and co-ordination across these policy areas in order to support the development of the bioenergy sector in Ireland.
