Impartial voices must be heard on energy sector

The report prepared by BW Energy has the intent of creating a wind v biomass scenario by gaining media coverage.

The reality is quite different. Commissioned by the group Rethink Pylons whose aims are clear to see on the blog “until we change the unnecessary ‘All Wind’ energy policy no one can guarantee that pylons will not come back to haunt us”. When reviewing this study the public need be aware of the biased and conflicted nature of the report.

The report doesn’t contextualise reality of the energy sector in Ireland. It raises some good points on the benefits of biomass for Ireland but has not modelled the entire energy sector. Currently the main need for biomass in Ireland is to meet the Renewable Energy Share-Heat (RES-H) that has a target of 12%. RES-H is the area that most biomass experts are calling for support, by means of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). RES-H is separate to the target share of 40% in renewable electricity, RES-E. The plan to concentrate all the biomass efforts on electricity are not where the demand lies. An urgent need is for a RHI to stimulate the biomass industry in Ireland, this has nothing to do with wind turbines or pylons. A RHI is needed for our renewable energy targets being meet. This is in addition to increasing the installed capacity of wind generation in the renewable electricity sector.