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.