This article is from page 55 of the 2008-01-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 55 JPG
FARMERS are being left out in the cold and excluded from offering val- uable assistance in the area of pro- ducing energy. According to the IFA National Environment Committee Chairman Tom Dunne, Irish farmers could have had a very positive input into the publication of the All-Island Grid Study, which was published last week.
“This study has failed to recognise the extent to which farmers can play a pivotal role in carbon emission reduction while providing a secure energy supply through renewable electricity, heat and transport fuel initiatives,’ he said.
“As far back as the year 2000,
the European Climate Change Pro- eramme clearly identified that the agricultural sector could contribute significantly to fulfilling the reduc- tion objective for Kyoto. Many of these objectives can be achieved through renewable energy produc- nto)
Early last week, Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan, published this ground- breaking report which for the first time examined a range of generation portfolios for Ireland, the ability of our power system to handle various amounts of electricity from renew- able sources, the investment levels required, and the climate change and security of supply benefits that would accrue.
‘Farmers are prepared to invest
in renewable energy production and can provide carbon-neutral energy. However for farmers to maximise their participation in renewable ener- gy production, the Government must provide a realistic feed-in tariff, sim- plified access to the grid network and the priority use of renewable en- ergy, continued Dunne.
“Wind only represents one of many renewable energy options. The im- plementation of the measures out- lined has resulted in a 16% increase in renewable energy production in Crasere teh vae
In July 2005 the Governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland jointly issued a preliminary consultation pa- per on an all-island ‘2020 Vision’ for renewable energy.
The paper sought views on the development of a joint strategy for the provision of renewable energy sourced electricity within the All- island Energy Market leading up to 2020 and beyond, so that consumers, north and south, continue to benefit from access to sustainable energy supplies provided at a competitive ON A
It is within the context of the All- island Energy Market Development Framework agreed by ministers in November 2004 and the undertaking to develop a Single Electricity Mar- ket that views were sought on how the electricity infrastructure on the island might best develop to allow the maximum penetration of renew- able energy.