1. Potential for Wood Energy in Ireland Presentation to Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources John J. Jackson, Chairman IFA Farm Forestry Section Wednesday June 22 nd 2005

2. Energy Crisis Ireland currently imports 86% of total energy requirement €7 billion per annum on imported fossil fuel Oil prices over $59 per barrel (20/06/05) Wood energy developed in Scandinavia, Denmark, Austria during oil crisis of 1970’s

3. Benefits of Wood Energy Clean, green renewable resource – no extra cost to produce raw material Mitigate climate change Security of supply Rural development/ job creation New forest product – new farm income source

4. Benefits of Wood Energy Alternate markets for small diameter timber Encourage better forest management / quality timber Regional balance – private sector to produce 1 million m 3 of timber by 2015

5. Wood as Energy Source Small Scale (Domestic) – Firewood, Boilers, Stoves IFA promotion of Wood Gasifiers Medium Scale (Public/Industrial) – Government Offices, Schools, Hotels, Offices Large Scale (Electricity) - CHP, co-firing at existing power plants

6. Barriers Tradition Know how Policy (Aer VI – Offered price of 6.41c/kw/hr COFORD WESG estimate 9.5c/kw/hr) Market Access (Bord na Mona) Some financial support needed

7. Recommendations Set clear targets for Wood Energy Tax incentives/rebates for domestic installations Capital grant scheme for medium scale installations 75kw-500kw Capital grants for harvesting machinery Co- firing (Edenderry Power Plant took 37% sawdust in trials with no modification = no cost)