Rapid expansion of wood energy sector to benefit 15,000 farmers

THE rapid expansion of the wood energy sector in Ireland will be beneficial to more than 15,000 farmers who developed a farm forest enterprise, Teagasc has predicted.

Teagasc’s head of forestry, Nuala Ní Fhlatharta, was speaking ahead of Bioenergy ‘09, which takes place in Kilkenny next Wednesday, a showcase for the potential of wood energy as an alternative outlet for thinnings.

Banking on biomass is the theme for the event, jointly organised by Teagasc, COFORD and Sustainable Energy Ireland. It will combine an indoor conference in the morning with field trips in the afternoon.

Nuala Ní Fhlatharta said Teagasc research shows that the wood energy resource is equivalent to 58 million litres of home heating oil. That is enough energy to heat 58,000 houses based on an average size house using 1,000 litres of home heating oil each year.

“Wood energy is a clean, carbon neutral and home grown source of renewable energy,” she said.

Frances McHugh, Teagasc’s local forestry development officer, will show how to harvest, process and market timber into a valuable and highly efficient form of wood fuel.

“I know local farmers can be the heat suppliers of the future by pooling their resources together. Teagasc is supporting several timber producer groups who are already operating nationwide.

“Teagasc is assisting the setting up of such a timber producer group in Kilkenny. I would urge any forest owner who is interested in harvesting and marketing their own timber to come along to this very promising event,” she said.

Ms McHugh said wood energy is only one attractive opportunity for people who chose a farm forest enterprise. Farm forestry is an enterprise with very attractive grants.

These cover the full cost of forest establishment while annual payments of up to €728 per hectare, tax free, are available to REPS farmers participating in FEPS, the Forest Environment Protection Scheme.

Sustainable Energy Ireland, Bioenergy ‘09, will take place at the Lyrath Estate Hotel and Convention Centre in Kilkenny.

“It raises awareness across all sectors on the many uses and benefits to growing, harvesting and using wood fuels to generate heat, electricity and fuel.”

“Bioenergy and wood based fuels are coming very much to the fore as a cost effective solution,” SEI said.