Biomass Project Sites and Results
O’Malley asked where the 600-hectare project operated and how it was performing. Collins listed sites in Mayo and Offaly, cited poor growth, an undeveloped harvesting machine and an ESB boiler decision as reasons for disappointing results, and undertook to identify the boiler.
Could I ask the Minister of State what is the location of the first of the two projects he mentioned, the one of 600 hectares?
Comment on this
It is spread over about five areas in Bangor and Bellacorick and Oweninny in County Mayo and Clonsast and Boora in County Offaly, mostly on bog land.
Comment on this
Yes. There are three main reasons why we have not had the success we expected. One is the poor growth rate. That is the main reason. Expenditure on these projects has not reached the expected level because of the poor growth rate and a decision by the ESB to convert an existing boiler rather than to build a new one. There was a failure to develop a harvest machine. These are the reasons why expenditure on the biomass projects have not reached the estimates made some years ago.
Comment on this
Is it one of the ones Deputy Power is concerned about? I have a horrible feeling it is. Is it one of the ones that will be closed down shortly?