THE GOVERNMENT must commit itself to the formation of a dedicated green renewable energy unit which has the potential to create thousands of jobs, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association.
Launching its land-based renewable energy policy in Kildare yesterday, IFA president John Bryan called on the Government to implement the necessary policies which could make this happen.
“There are tremendous opportunities for the renewable energy and agriculture sectors to combine forces to achieve the 2020 renewable energy directive targets,” he said. “Farmland can be used for wind production without impacting on agricultural yields, and crops and by-products can be used as a source of power, heat and gas generation.”
To ensure the potential is realised, the Government must commit itself to the formation of a dedicated green renewable energy unit to co-ordinate the activities of the four Government departments, the five State agencies and all stakeholders that had collective responsibility for the sector, Mr Bryan added.
“Ireland is currently one of the most energy import-dependent countries in Europe,” he said.
“Our peripheral geographical location and dependence on fossil fuels means that energy security remains a key challenge for the country.
“The problem of energy security is compounded by the price volatility in our imported energy supplies, creating uncertainty for all enterprises in the economy.”
He said € 150 million was spent on imports each week to meet fuel requirements. The development of renewable energy would create jobs and improve our balance of payments.
The launch of the policy was carried out on the farm of Michael Murphy, Brannockstown, Naas, as he harvested his crop of miscanthus (elephant grass).
The crop was being delivered to the Edenderry power plant in the first large-scale commercial contract negotiated by JMH growers.
More than 300 farmers are now planting 6,000 acres of the crop across the State.