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03/10/2005
Government unveils renewable energy recommendations
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Jeff Rooker has launched a consultation on recommendations for a Renewable Energy Policy.
Speaking at the launch of 'Recommendations to DARD for a Renewable Energy Policy' the Minister said Government had set a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% from the 1990 level within the next five years.
"Northern Ireland possesses some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe, yet currently, only 2% of our primary energy comes from renewable sources," the Minister said.
"Drawing on the outcome of the consultation we are launching today, DARD will proceed to develop a renewables strategy that will seek to unlock the bioenergy potential of Northern Ireland and open up new opportunities for the rural economy."
The recommendations were made to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) by an inter-departmental steering group. They are based on a study that investigated the potential market for small-scale embedded heat and power and heat-only systems in the rural economy. The study also assessed the economic and environmental sustainability of such systems. The potential of growing crops like oilseed rape and wheat to produce biofuels for transportation was also addressed.
The recommendations in the study identify areas where renewable energy sources could be exploited to increase significantly their contribution to Northern Ireland's energy requirements. This would reduce the use of fossil fuels, which produce emissions harmful to the atmosphere when burned.
(MB/SP)
Speaking at the launch of 'Recommendations to DARD for a Renewable Energy Policy' the Minister said Government had set a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% from the 1990 level within the next five years.
"Northern Ireland possesses some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe, yet currently, only 2% of our primary energy comes from renewable sources," the Minister said.
"Drawing on the outcome of the consultation we are launching today, DARD will proceed to develop a renewables strategy that will seek to unlock the bioenergy potential of Northern Ireland and open up new opportunities for the rural economy."
The recommendations were made to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) by an inter-departmental steering group. They are based on a study that investigated the potential market for small-scale embedded heat and power and heat-only systems in the rural economy. The study also assessed the economic and environmental sustainability of such systems. The potential of growing crops like oilseed rape and wheat to produce biofuels for transportation was also addressed.
The recommendations in the study identify areas where renewable energy sources could be exploited to increase significantly their contribution to Northern Ireland's energy requirements. This would reduce the use of fossil fuels, which produce emissions harmful to the atmosphere when burned.
(MB/SP)
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