Initiative of Renewable Energy Micro Generation

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TheBioenergySite Latest News

Friday, October 10, 2008

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Initiative of Renewable Energy Micro Generation

IRELAND - At the launch of an Irish Farmers' Association initiative on renewable energy generation on farms, President Padraig Walshe said that micro power generation from a range of sources – wind, solar and anaerobic – has the potential to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

In addition, a vibrant micro energy industry will create much-needed jobs and reduce on- farm production costs according to the IFA.

Mr Walshe said that the Government is already committed to achieving 15 per cent of electricity generation from renewables by 2010 and 33% by 2020 and that micro power can play a very significant role in meeting these targets.

The IFA leader proposed a number of measures to stimulate and facilitate investment in micro-generation.

"To encourage farmers to make the investment in micro energy generation on-farm, IFA is proposing that there should be double capital allowance tax relief up to a maximum investment of €50,000 per farmer in micro energy. Initially IFA is seeking this taxation relief on 6,000 installations over three years," Mr Walshe said.

"Planning restrictions are delaying the roll-out of wind farms and other renewable energy generating projects. IFA is proposing a range of reforms in planning regulations for micro generation.

"The electricity load restrictions and connection difficulties are further barriers to alternative energy sources. To encourage the development of the micro industry and allow farmers a return on the investment, a special renewable energy feed–in tariff support for micro energy must be put in place, together with "smart metering" technologies."

Mr Walshe said IFA Power intends to facilitate the cost effective sale of energy generated on farms on behalf of members through its electricity services.

Tom Bean of Country Power said: "With our carbon emissions soaring and our continuing over dependence on imported fossil fuels, micro generation is a totally untapped potential for Ireland and is an opportunity to unlock huge economic and environmental benefits."

Mr Walshe said that the farming sector is prepared to take a constructive approach with Government to reducing greenhouse gases, but that IFA is totally opposed to any forced cut backs in production. He said that to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction targets, all three farm-based sources of renewable energy must be fully developed: micro-generation of electricity, the use of energy crops to produce fuel and power, and the role of forestry as a carbon sink.

He said that as regards forestry, a key objective of the government must be to regulate at EU level to have the role of forest sinks fully recognised.

The IFA leader said that he was surprised by the most recent EPA projections on emissions from agriculture- an assumed three per cent per annum increase for the period 2006-2020 – when agriculture has been the only major sector where emissions have been falling.

He said: "Apparently this comes from Teagasc projections for livestock numbers, which are based on a very optimistic set of assumptions in relation to world commodity prices and other factors. They seem to ignore the downside threats to Irish agriculture, particularly from WTO and from major cost increases."