Renewable energy project revealed

THE first industrial wood chip boiler in Clare is expected to be installed before the end of the year as part of a major renewable energy project.

Jointly managed by the Clare LEADER company Rural Resource Development (RRD) and Teagasc, the project is the first of its kind in Ireland and was set up last year to develop a market for wood energy from farm forest thinning.

It is funded by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and the executives in charge are Dóirín Graham of RRD and Mary Ryan, forestry specialist with Teagasc. Tenders have been received for wood chip boilers and energy supply contracts in five locations around Clare.

The projects include a manufacturing plant, hotel, school, nursing home and leisure centre. A decision on the first installation will be made over the coming weeks.

Use of wood chip as a replacement for oil and gas for heating and energy has significant potential, particularly in Clare, which has a network of farm forests approaching the thinning stage.

Felling licences and road grant applications are being secured for forests, ready to enter the Clare wood chip supply chain.

Dóirín Graham and Mary Ryan said the use of wood chip will boost income from forestry as well as generating employment in rural areas.

Minister of State Tony Killeen has launched a campaign to increase forest planting by Clare farmers in a joint initiative between the Irish Forest Industry Chain and the Department of Agriculture.