Delays in delivery of REFIT energy scheme holds up bioenergy sector

DELAYS in the delivery of the long-promised REFIT energy scheme is holding up the development of an industry which could create thousands of rural jobs.

IFA bioenergy executive secretary Geraldine O’Sullivan said some farmers began investing in this area as early as 2007, when supports for crop-fuelled electricity generation were first detailed in a Government white paper. Farmers were told of the scheme’s formal launch in May 2010, but they are still awaiting the rollout of the scheme.

Geraldine O’Sullivan said: “The IFA has talked with the farmers who have planted on foot of this promised scheme. There are now 4,000 hectares of bioenergy crops in the ground. We wanted a 16c tariff minimum, with 18c for anaerobic digestion. We will be lobbying the incoming Government for a higher rate.