IFA renewables project team chair James Murphy has called for the inclusion of supports for farm-scale projects in the renewable energy strategy planned under the new programme for government.

He welcomed the positive comments in the programme for government on solar energy and support for indigenous biomass.

However, he said that there is also a need for greater policy support for smaller farm-scale renewable projects.

The programme for government states that Ireland’s long-term interests are best supported by further decreasing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels through the continued development of indigenous renewable energy.

It also says that the new partnership government will “comprehensively review price supports for renewable energy following the closure of the REFIT 2 scheme,” which set the price at which renewable energy producers sell electricity to the national grid.

“The new programme for government provides a real platform for a more acceptable approach to renewable energy development in Ireland,” the IFA chair said.

Community ownership

The government also outlined its plans to support technologies through funding for further research, development and demonstration.

Murphy said: “Community ownership of future projects is a must; it is no longer acceptable for large-scale developments to be imposed in rural Ireland, without surrounding communities receiving any dividend or shareholding.”

He added that delivery of the measure in the programme for government “can best be delivered in a co-ordinated and inclusive way, through the establishment of a national energy forum.”

He concluded by calling for the new Minister for Natural Resources Denis Naughten to “immediately move to establish this forum.”

The calls follow Minister Naughten’s announcement of plans to have a public consultation on wind turbines. He also called for more energy options to be developed alongside solar and wind projects.

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