Forestry firm unveils plans for biomass-fuelled power plant
This plant, together with its power plant on the Asahi site at Killala, will create a market for almost a million tonnes of output a year from forests in the west and north-west.
Greenbelt was established by foresters Mossie Ryan and Tim O’Brien in 1982. It has planted, established and is now managing 100,000 ha (250,000 acres) of forests for 7,000 farmers and landowners. Based in Virginia, Co Cavan, it employs 500 directly and indirectly in forest planting, management and harvesting.
Greenbelt managing director Mossie Ryan said: “Pension funds and corporate investors accounted for the bulk of Greenbelt planting during the 1980s. Since 1992, almost all planting has been done for farmers. The first of these forests are now reaching the harvesting stage and the returns will be an important boost to rural income.
“While state-owned forests account for practically all timber output at present, output from privately-owned forests is projected to increase tenfold over the next decade. Greenbelt has accounted for almost 40% of all forest planting by farmers over the last 20 years. Private forestry now accounts for 48% of the national forest estate of 745,000 ha,” he said.
The Taoiseach launched the 30th birthday celebrations on a forest owned by the Mayo native and New York lawyer Paul O’Dwyer, of Cheshire Home Fund. Greenbelt purchased and planted 400 ha (1,000 acres) of land for the fund, which is located on the O’Dwyer homestead at Bohola.
Greenbelt is also involved in bio-energy through its subsidiary, Imperative Energy, which was established in 2007.
