Biofuels Industry and Policy in Ireland

 In a recent bioenergy conference, Bernard Rice, from the Oak Park Crops Research Centre (Carlow, Ireland) presented some insights into the biofuels industry/policy in Ireland. Although some progress has been made to develop a biofuel industry infrastructure in the country, investments in biofuels in Ireland have been reportedly held back due to: (1) price volatilities in feedstock prices, (2) cheap imports, (3) uncertainties over support measures, and (4) the food versus fuel debate. Despite these problems, however, some progress has been made on the following: (1) construction of four plant oil units, a biodiesel plant in New Ross, and a wood pellet plant in Knocktopher, (2) steady growth in the use of wood chips for commercial heating, and (3) establishment of a 2- hectare area for perennial energy crops (miscanthus and willow) cultivation. As with other European countries, the Irish biofuels policy is governed by the European Union's (EU) Renewable Energy Directive, which mandates a 20% target in the proportion of total energy to be obtained from renewable sources by 2020. The renewable energy target for transport fuels has been set to 10%. According to Rice, the development of a National Action Plan (as required by the EU Renewable Energy Directive), and "the change to an obligation system for transport biofuels" will be important in the development of biofuel production in Ireland in the coming decade. More information can be obtained Teagasc website (URL above).

Related information: Oakpark Research Centre website http://www.agresearch.teagasc.ie/oakpark/