County council to consider bio-fuel options for plant
County manager, Maurice Moloney, said he was hoping that if the study showed the concept as being viable, the council could lead talks between various interested parties to bring the plant back into production.
Yesterday he said it was likely that the local authority would appoint an outside expert to compile the report, but staff from the council’s energy office in Mallow were likely to help out as well.
“If it is a possible runner we will initiate discussions,” Mr Moloney said.
A number of beet growers have expressed interest in supplying a bio-fuel plant. The Greencore-owned plant could be converted to take beet and turn it into ethanol, which could be used as fuel. Electricity could also be produced as a by-product.
The Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Michael Creed, has given his full backing to the study, while Mallow-based Cllr Tom Sheahan said emerging difficulties with the supply and price of fossil fuel probably made it a viable alternative.
The move also gained cross-party support when the leader of Fianna Fáil on the council backed it.
“The plant in Mallow could be a huge asset to this county. But we can’t do it on our own — a lot of players are involved and they have to be pulled together on this,” declared Cllr Alan Coleman.
Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald said he had talked to beet gowers who were in favour of such a move as were several former employees of the sugar factory.
However, Cllr Paddy Sheehan said the project would depend on the cooperation of Greencore. Amid fears that the company was about to dismantle the plant he said: “It should be brought home to them that the plant should remain as it is until any restructuring plan is put in place.”
