Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2019
156. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he has taken with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support the production of domestic biomass to supply Lanesboro and Shannonbridge power stations in advance of the decision by the ESB not to proceed with planning for both plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46928/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a number of support measures in place to increase and mobilise biomass with an increasing biomass harvest of over 1 million cubic metres harvested from private forest estate last year.
In the event that all three of the electricity generating plants in the Midlands co-fired peat with biomass, there would not be sufficient amounts of indigenous biomass to meet the demand. Decisions regarding the sourcing of biomass are operational matters for the power plant operator, ESB.
In addition to the three Midlands 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.
