IFA team identifies 6,000 strategic locations for micro-wind turbines
Sean O’Leary, who heads an IFA project team on climate change, outlined the potential of the micro-wind turbines to the Enterprise, Trade and Employment Sub-Committee on creating jobs through the use of renewable energy resources.
He said these turbines have the capacity to drive down on-farm fossil fuel use and to deliver enough electricity to meet the demands of 32,000 households (more than Galway city) each year.
They would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than two million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, over the expected service life of the wind turbines.
“This micro-energy strategy provides a significant opportunity for farmers to consider renewable electric farm machinery into the future,” he said.
Mr O’Leary told the sub-committee a stimulus package was required to maximise opportunities in the micro-energy sector.
Measures required include changes in the planning regulations and an increase in the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff to 22c per kWh.
They also include the introduction of a double capital allowance tax relief up to a maximum investment of €50,000 in micro-energy for any individual and the introduction of smart and net metering technologies.
JJ Kavanagh, leader of an IFA project team on renewable energy, said that biomass is key to any renewable electricity target and also offers farmers the greatest opportunity.
“To achieve 30% co-firing target alone will demand an estimated one million tonnes of biomass per annum,” he said.
IFA Farm Forestry chairman Pat Hennessy said Ireland presently spends in excess of €20 million a day on imported fossil fuels, with minimal downstream benefit to the economy.
“This is no longer acceptable when we have the resource and technology to produce some of our energy requirements and create sustainable, local green collar employment opportunities,” he said.
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