€220m EU fund ‘might inspire’ further green energy projects

IRELAND can use the launch of a new €220m EU fund for sustainable building projects as a springboard for further green energy projects, according to a leading industry expert.

Teagasc bioenergy specialist Barry Caslin believes that the launch of European Energy Efficiency is significant in that it might inspire the public sector to build a greater number of energy-efficient buildings.

“Public buildings would be an ideal place to showcase renewable technologies,” said Mr Caslin, speaking in advance of next week’s Teagasc National Bioenergy Conference. “With public buildings, people are more likely to be able to come in and view the new technologies in a real working environment. That would be more difficult in a private building.”

Under the EU scheme, 85% of the financial aid will go towards loans and guarantees and the remainder directed into technical assistance, with €75m coming from the European Investment Bank.

Incorporating renewable energy into the Irish business landscape will be just one of the subjects under discussion at the conference taking place next Wednesday in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Co Offaly.

Expert industry speakers including John Gilliland of Rural Generation, Joe O’Carroll of Imperative Energy, Tom Bruton of Irbea, JJ Kavanagh of the IFA and Duncan Stewart of EcoEye will address a myriad of topics relating to Ireland’s still relatively under-developed bioenergy sector.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and representatives from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, including Minister Pat Rabbitte will also be in attendance.

One of the subjects likely to feature strongly is the relatively low levels of state support for bioenergy initiatives, notably the absence of clarity on funding for the REFIT tariff.

Investors in renewable energy, among them many full-time farmers, have poured money into the sector based on Government statements suggesting the sector would be a key recipient of supports in its initial growth stages.

Significant start-up capital via a REFIT tariff for renewable energy projects was expected to have been in place over 12 months ago. Many farmers have already driven on and invested in anticipation of the promised roll-out of the scheme.

Barry Caslin said: “The REFIT tariff is a very hot topic at the moment. In terms of anybody who wants to invest in this area — whether in CHP, power stations of anaerobic digestion (biomass) technology — there is a lack of confidence because the investor doesn’t see any sign of the REFIT tariff being introduced.

“The Government must get behind this. If people see a real Government push behind renewable energy, it would certainly help get the industry off the ground.”

Speakers next Wednesday will be unanimous in pushing for an early introduction of the promised REFIT tariff.

The IFA’s alternative land use project team chairman JJ Kavanagh said: “The delay in introducing the REFIT is putting the viability of the whole sector in question.”