Richard Bruton
Question:1300. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected biomass activity by 2030. [38270/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1300)
Written answers
In 2021, the National Council for Forest Research & Development (COFORD) produced an All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast for the period 2021-2040. The forecast predicts that the annual potential roundwood supply will increase from 4.7 million cubic metres in 2021 to 6.7 million cubic metres by 2030.
The roundwood production forecast also contains three main sources of raw material for wood energy – small roundwood, wood residues from the processing sector and harvest residues (including branches and some harvest loss material) on suitable sites. The use of post-consumer recovered wood (PCRW) is outside the scope of the report.
The forecast for Wood Fibre and its potential for wood energy in the Republic of Ireland is estimated to be 1.9 million cubic metres by 2030 - an increase from the forecast 1.5 million cubic metres in 2023.
My Department will continue to encourage policies, steps and measures to increase the use of wood and wood products in climate change mitigation and adaptation.