Eco-friendly fuel depot opens in Cork

Balcas, a Fermanagh-based timber miller and pellet manufacturer, is leading the way for its new environmentally friendly fuel with the opening of a depot in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

This new development will be the company’s second in Ireland, alongside their existing Enniskillen plant.

The new depot will ensure Balcas can satisfy the increased demand for brites — wooden pellets, which are becoming a more popular way to heat homes and businesses throughout Ireland.

Richard Smith, business manager, said: “There has been an increase in demand throughout Ireland for brites, which has led to the opening of the new depot in Cork.

“The online service is also great news for the people of Cork and surrounding counties, as they have the ease of ordering online and the peace of mind that their supply is coming from a local depot.”

David Taylor, chief executive officer of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), said that because of Ireland’s dependency on expensive imported oil, consumers were beginning to look for less expensive and more secure sources of energy.

“As demonstrated through the success of SEI’s Greener Homes Scheme, wood-based fuels in the shape of wood pellets and chips are coming very much to the fore as one solution,” said Mr Taylor.

Brites are a natural, wood-based fuel and are either manufactured in Fermanagh or imported from German mills operating to the same European quality standards.

They are currently used for heating more than 2,200 homes, as well as a wide variety of businesses.

In addition to the opening of its new depot, which holds an 8,000 tonne stock of brites, Balcas recently launched a new system to let customers order online at www.brites.eu and have their supply delivered straight to their door.

There is also a customer help line on [phone].

To begin using brites you will need a wood pellet boiler or stove, for which grants are currently available.

Courtesy of The Evening Echo