Farmers have a key role to play in ramping up efforts to meet Ireland’s renewable energy commitments. That was one of the key message from the 2019 Energy in Agriculture event at Gurteen College this week.
Farmers have a key role to play in ramping up efforts to meet Ireland’s renewable energy commitments.
That was one of the key message from the 2019 Energy in Agriculture event at Gurteen College this week.
College principal Mike Pearson said farmers have to realise that growing grass to feed animals might not be sustainable – though it may be profitable to grow grass for an anaerobic digester.
Pearson wants the industry to be more radical in its thinking towards renewables and biomass production.
Support
Teagasc’s Barry Caslin explained that farmers now have the opportunity to diversify into renewable energy production. The introduction of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat will soon create a demand for native biomass, expected to be filled through forestry and woody energy crops.
At the moment farmers can avail of grant aid to install solar panels, but are unable to connect to the national grid and get paid for surplus energy.
However, this is set to change due to the EU Clean Energy package, announced by the European Council earlier this year. Over the coming years, each member state must make it easier for individuals to produce, store or sell their own energy.
Caslin explained that farmers should also be focusing on improving energy efficiency within the farmgate. “Every kilowatt hour of energy saved on the farm is a good as a kilowatt hour produced on the farm,” he said.
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