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IFA National Environment Committee Chairman, Mr. Pat Farrell
has welcomed a recent announcement by the Department of Communications,
Energy and Natural Resources to provide a start-up grant and
a higher electricity price for renewable energy production
(Click
Here).
He said - "Farmers have always realised the nutrient
value of slurry and organic manure for crop production. However,
following a recent announcement of a bioenergy scheme by Energy
Minister, Eamonn Ryan, farmers can now consider using slurry
to produce electricity. This scheme will include a start-up
grant and an increased guaranteed price for the production
of electricity from slurry by a means called anaerobic digestion."
The scheme has a budget of up to €8 million and will
provide up to 30% investment grant support from Sustainable
Energy Ireland (SEI) for eligible projects - with a guaranteed
price of up to 12cent per KWh for the production of electricity
from biogas.
"This new bioenergy scheme has the potential to provide
an alternative for the many intensive livestock and pig farmers,
who presently export slurry to customer farmers and prepare
the onerous associated plans and paperwork" - he added.
Mr. Farrell concluded - "This scheme provides an improved
financial return for producing renewable electricity, compared
to fossil fuel electricity production. Most importantly, however,
it represents a significant recognition by Government of the
important role that farmers can play in renewable energy production,
greenhouse gas emissions reductions and the fight against
climate change."
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