The Irish BioEnergy Association welcomes Minister Pat Rabbitte’s commitment to prioritise Renewable Energy
27th March 2011 – Minister Rabbitte marked his recent speech at the IWEA conference with a fresh approach to energy policy. He acknowledged the problems associated with Nuclear energy and security of oil supply. The Minister recognised that renewable energy can not only provide a secure energy supply for Ireland, it can also create considerable employment and greatly reduce Irelands spend on imported energy.
The Minister has directed his Department to prioritise delivering Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) for renewable electricity. We, the Irish BioEnergy Association hope the Minister and his department will end the unacceptable delays in implementing a support programme – these delays have pushed investment in the sector from our shores to “greener pastures” where feed in tariffs are in place.
We understand the Department has sought state aid approval for a range of REFIT measures to encourage the production of electricity from Irish food waste and crops. Should these be approved then developers of biogas plants (of which there are at least 24 in planning), Biomass heat and power plants and power stations using biomass will be able to secure finance in the coming months.
For further information please contact:
Tom Bruton, IrBEA President
+353 87 9381882
Tom.bruton@bioxl.ie
Noel Gavigan, IrBEA Executive
+353 87 6845977
noelgavigan@irbea.org
