The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) has urged the government to use Budget 2027 to support the bioenergy sector, saying Ireland lags far behind other EU countries. "With the right measures in Budget 2027, Ireland can stimulate investment, create rural jobs, displace fossil fuels and deliver meaningful carbon reductions," said its chief executive, Sean Finan.
For biogas and biomethane, IrBEA wants the long-awaited Renewable Heat Obligation introduced urgently and a biomethane capital support programme funded through the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund, with a 50% grant on the first €5 million invested and 25% on the rest, up to €10 million a project. It also asks for a ringfenced €3-4 million within that programme to build up to 15 farm-scale biogas plants, which it said could cut farm emissions, add to farm income and show rural communities the benefits of biogas.
The association also wants continued funding for the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat with higher biomass tariffs, a mineral oil tax relief for home-produced liquid biofuels, and the VAT rate on biomass appliances cut from 23% to 9%, the rate on heat pumps (solar panels carry 0%). It proposes a capital scheme to help wood fuel producers build drying facilities to meet moisture limits under the Air Pollution Act solid fuel regulations.
Among its other asks: kerosene measures that do not disadvantage renewable fuels, pellet, log and biofuel appliances made eligible in the proposed oil boiler scrappage scheme, home grants extended to replacing fossil fuel appliances with biomass, and money for renewable energy training and for staff in state bodies to enforce heating targets and solid fuel rules.
IrBEA represents the biomass, biogas and biomethane, liquid biofuel, biochar, wood fuel and energy crop sectors. "Supporting indigenous bioenergy will reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthen energy security, and provide a fair pathway for farmers, foresters, householders, businesses and rural communities to participate in the renewable energy transition," Finan said.
Photo: Volker Thies (Asdrubal) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Agriland
Comments
(0)