Change to biomass heating in public buildings could create 5,000 jobs

SOME 5,000 jobs could be created in the rural economy if the Government converted 25% of public buildings to biomass heating systems.

That’s what Irish Farmers Association president Padraig Walshe told yesterday’s session of the Teagasc Bio-Energy conference in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

Mr Walshe said renewable energy production offers an opportunity to expand employment, particularly in rural areas, while addressing energy security concerns.

“IFA has made proposals to Government that they introduce a biomass public procurement initiative to convert 25% of all public buildings including hospitals, amenity centres, offices and local development housing to biomass heating systems in the next five years.

“If this target were achieved, the benefits would be twofold: public sector annual heating costs would be reduced by as much as €100 million per annum and up to 5,000 rural jobs could be created,” he said.

Mr Walshe also told the conference a further 4,500 jobs could be created if 50% of the country’s 2020 target for transport biofuels was met from indigenous resources.

“It is clear the agriculture and forestry sector has a significant and positive contribution to make towards the generation of renewable energy and job creation.

“But it can only happen if it is economically viable for farmers. Managed correctly, renewable energy production will not adversely affect food security, or cause volatility in food prices,” he said.

On bioenergy, Mr Walshe said it would require investment in infrastructure, specialised equipment, training and research to create a viable market.

“An integrated programme of funding is needed to create confidence in the supply chain,” he said.

Minister of State Tony Killeen told the conference he believes the green enterprise sector overall can bring real economic and environmental benefits to Ireland in the years ahead.

“That’s not to say we can hide from the fact that Ireland is also facing some significant challenges from reducing emissions and fossil fuel use to looking at ways to improve energy efficiency.

“We are, for example, heavily dependent on fossil fuels with an annual import bill of €6 billion per annum,” he said.

Mr Killeen said agriculture and forestry can play a key role in meeting Ireland’s renewable commitments.

They can provide the feedstocks for biofuel and biomass production in the heat, electricity and transport sectors.

Energy can be produced from energy crops, forest residues and thinnings and by utilising agriculture wastes.