Bio-energy plant lost for 'lack of incentive'

THE IRISH backers of a £100 million (€120 million) Welsh biomass plant have said the absence of a commercial incentive for renewable…

THE IRISH backers of a £100 million (€120 million) Welsh biomass plant have said the absence of a commercial incentive for renewable energy in Ireland has led to the project, which will create up to 300 jobs, being located in Wales instead of Ireland.

Yesterday, Cork-based company EcoPellets and British company Integrated Energy Systems International (IESI) announced plans to build a 31MW biomass plant on the Isle of Anglesey, subject to planning permission.

Up to 200 jobs will be created during the construction of the plant, which is expected to begin operations in May 2013.

The business will employ up to 120 people.

Irishman John O’Shea, the managing director of IESI, said the absence of an incentive system meant that it was not commercially viable to invest in Ireland.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up to the Business Today newsletter for the latest new and commentary in your inbox

  • Listen to Inside Business podcast for a look at business and economics from an Irish perspective

Suzanne Lynch

Suzanne Lynch

Suzanne Lynch, a former Irish Times journalist, was Washington correspondent and, before that, Europe correspondent