The biomass plant will process raw biomass sources from managed forestry and sawmills into a refined solid biofuel for commercial and domestic use. It will also produce renewable electricity for export to the national grid, according to sources.

At least 60,000t of straw will be required from the 2018 harvest in order to begin the operations in the power plant in early 2019. Suppliers of straw must be within a 100-mile radius of the plant, due to the transport logistics.

The company is searching for additional suppliers of straw, but certain conditions will have to be met.Wheat, oaten, rape and barley straw, along with specialist energy crops such as miscanthus, will be accepted.

Prices of €60/t have been quoted

Suppliers for the plant will have to sign into a 15-year contract to supply the facility. Straw must be in 8x4x4 or 8x4x3 bales to be suitable. Prices of €60/t have been quoted, though minimum supply commitments must be met.

There will be a number of meetings run throughout July to inform farmers on the details of the proposed development.

Bioenergy plans get Cabinet approval

As exclusively revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal this week, plans to develop and grow a bioenergy industry in Ireland have received approval from the Cabinet.

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Denis Naughten brought forward plans for the creation of a new bioenergy division of Bord na Móna (BnM) known as Bord na Móna Bioenergy. The division will take on the work of Bioenergy Ireland.

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Bioenergy plans get Cabinet approval