Tag Archives: irelands
Biotricity To Turn Straw To Energy In Irelands First Biomass Power Plant
Published on Thursday, 19 September 2013 The straw feedstock will be procured with the help of the Irish Farmers Association Ireland’s first renewable biomass electricity plant is set to convert straw into electricity starting 2015. Irish renewable company Biotricity Ltd. is set to begin construction on their 16 megawatt Rhode, Co. Offaly biomass plant in the Irish midlands. Plant testing and commissioning is set for the end of 2015 with full scale generation scheduled to start in 2016. Rhode has qualified for the Renewable Feed in Tariff 3 program which provides a government backed 15-year renewable energy supply contract. Biotricity has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Irish Farmers’ Association for the procurement of the straw feedstock that will be used at Rhode. The biomass electricity plant will consume just over 90,000 tons of straw per annum. By the terms of the M.O.U., the I.F.A. will cover the purchase and management of needed straw feedstock. “The linkages between farming and the production of renewable energy are becoming clearer and include the opportunities for farmers to develop sustainable business relationships with the energy sector that provide incomes for farmers plus energy security and low carbon power for Ireland, “ said John Bryan, I.F.A. President. Rhode’s straw requirements will deliver approximately $9.35 million in revenue annually to its farmer suppliers. Biotricity will commence initial purchases of straw during 2014 for plant testing and commissioning purposes with full purchasing commencing in 2015. “This is an Irish success story. 80 percent of the project cost will be paid out to Irish engineering companies, with approximately $18 million per annum going into the local economy to include salaries, straw and other solid biofuels for drying,” said Biotricity chief executive officer, Declan Kennedy. Construction of the plant will generate around 200 jobs with 44 jobs continuing during operations, plus an additional 19 jobs in logistical support. – EcoSeed Staff Continue reading
