State’s energy management criticised

THE Government has been accused of double standards after Enterprise Ireland yesterday began research into the potential for conversion of biomass and waste products into fuels and energy.

Enterprise Ireland yesterday invited expressions of interest from suitably qualified firms willing to study Ireland’s current and projected ability to use bio-refining processes to turn wastes of various kinds into heat and power, biofuels and value-added products such as fine chemicals, plastics, neutraceuticals and feed additives.

The launch of the Enterprise Ireland tender came just five months after another state agency, An Bord Pleanála, spent more than a year deliberating before turning down a project that would have turned 300,000 tonnes of potentially harmful chicken litter into enough electricity to supply half of Co Monaghan.