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.