Bioenergy boost could generate 3,600 full-time jobs and €430m

Bioenergy could generate 3,600 full-time jobs and €430m annually for the Irish economy given the right incentives, say industry experts.

Those attending yesterday’s Teagasc National Bioenergy Conference 2012 in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath, heard that €1.5bn will be invested in biomass processing infrastructure and equipment from 2012 to 2020.

Some 55% of this will be spent in the country, with the remainder being imported plant and equipment. Almost €430m would be spent annually on operating these facilities, creating almost 8,300 work years and sustaining 3,600 full-time equivalent jobs.