Irish Bioenergy Association - IRBEA

02/12/2025

02/12/2025

Pictured at the recent Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) Scheme AGM 2025 at the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly is Ger Byrne of Larry Byrne and Sons Timber, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow receiving his WFQA annual certification. There is a nationwide network of WFQA suppliers who are certified to fulfil the requirements of the new Solid Fuel Regulations for wood fuels. The WFQA is managed and administered by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA).

Pictured L to R: Trish Lawlor Finance Manager IrBEA, Colin Gallagher Forestry Inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is Ger Byrne, Larry Byrne and Sons Timber, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow, Eugene Hendrick WFQA Chairperson, Noel Gavigan IrBEA Technical Executive / WFQA Manager and Teresa O’Brien Communications Manager IrBEA.

Photo Credit: John Reynolds Photography.

21/10/2025

The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) held its 24th National Bioenergy Conference this month at the Killashee Hotel, Co. Kildare. We would like to thank everyone who joined us, and extend a special thank you to all the speakers for their valuable contributions.

This year’s conference was proudly sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Worrell Harvesting Ltd

🎙️ Opening Address – Maurice Ryan President of IrBEA & Director of Business Development at Green Belt ltd services highlighted the urgency of advancing bioenergy in Ireland:

“There is no doubt that the time for bioenergy is now, given the challenges facing us in terms of climate change, decarbonisation and delivery on Ireland’s renewable energy targets. There is significant opportunity and great potential for all forms of bioenergy, including the role of forestry and timber production as valuable income drivers in rural communities .”

He stressed that bioenergy and renewable heat from solid biomass, are key enablers of sustainable forest management and maximising forest potential for timber production.

💡 Seán Finan, CEO of Irish Bioenergy Association - IRBEA underlined the progress being made and called for swift policy action:

“The building blocks for the development of the Irish bioenergy industry are beginning to line up. We now need to see an acceleration in the rollout of key policy and legislative frameworks to bring projects forward and drive action on the ground.”

Key takeaways:

Biogas / Biomethane
📌 Implement the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) scheme as quickly as possible.
📌 Notify the EU Commission urgently.
📌 Publish RHO ambitions to 2035 and beyond.
📌 Release capital funding details for biomethane.
📌 Introduce minimum 50% capital support for farm-scale biogas plants.
📌 Address planning, licensing, and regulatory barriers.

Solid Biomass and Wood Fuels
📌 Extend the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) to the ETS sector.
📌 Remove the 1MW cap under SSRH.
📌 Recognise solid biomass as the most cost-effective renewable heat source.
📌 Include solid biomass under the RHO.
📌 Strengthen solid fuel regulation enforcement.

Liquid Biofuels
📌 Legislate for minimum inclusion of Irish biodiesel in future blends (B10/B20).
📌 Tackle fraudulent or unsustainable non-EU biofuels
📌 Support and grow indigenous biofuel production in Ireland

Biochar and Carbon Products
📌 Recognise biochar in national carbon removal frameworks.
📌 Increase research and awareness of biochar applications.
📌 Highlight biochar’s role in emissions reduction and bio-based innovation.

💬 Closing Remarks
“IrBEA and its members are eager to meaningfully contribute to decarbonisation, emissions reductions, and renewable energy targets,” said Seán Finan. “We are ready to take the next steps to make bioenergy happen now.”

21/10/2025

The Irish Bioenergy Association - IRBEA held its 24th National Bioenergy Conference this month at the Killashee Hotel Co. Kildare. We would like to thank everyone who joined us, and extend a special thank you to all the speakers for their valuable contributions.

This year’s conference was proudly sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Worrell Harvesting Ltd

🎙️ Opening Address – Maurice Ryan President of IrBEA & Director of Business Development at Green Belt ltd highlighted the urgency of advancing bioenergy in Ireland:

“There is no doubt that the time for bioenergy is now, given the challenges facing us in terms of climate change, decarbonisation and delivery on Ireland’s renewable energy targets. There is significant opportunity and great potential for all forms of bioenergy, including the role of forestry and timber production as valuable income drivers in rural communities .”

He stressed that bioenergy and renewable heat from solid biomass, are key enablers of sustainable forest management and maximising forest potential for timber production.

💡 Seán Finan, CEO of Irish Bioenergy Association - IRBEA underlined the progress being made and called for swift policy action:

“The building blocks for the development of the Irish bioenergy industry are beginning to line up. We now need to see an acceleration in the rollout of key policy and legislative frameworks to bring projects forward and drive action on the ground.”

Key takeaways:

Biogas / Biomethane
📌 Implement the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) scheme as quickly as possible.
📌 Notify the EU Commission urgently.
📌 Publish RHO ambitions to 2035 and beyond.
📌 Release capital funding details for biomethane.
📌 Introduce minimum 50% capital support for farm-scale biogas plants.
📌 Address planning, licensing, and regulatory barriers.

Solid Biomass and Wood Fuels
📌 Extend the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) to the ETS sector.
📌 Remove the 1MW cap under SSRH.
📌 Recognise solid biomass as the most cost-effective renewable heat source.
📌 Include solid biomass under the RHO.
📌 Strengthen solid fuel regulation enforcement.

Liquid Biofuels
📌 Legislate for minimum inclusion of Irish biodiesel in future blends (B10/B20).
📌 Tackle fraudulent or unsustainable non-EU biofuels
📌 Support and grow indigenous biofuel production in Ireland

Biochar and Carbon Products
📌 Recognise biochar in national carbon removal frameworks.
📌 Increase research and awareness of biochar applications.
📌 Highlight biochar’s role in emissions reduction and bio-based innovation.

💬 Closing Remarks
“IrBEA and its members are eager to meaningfully contribute to decarbonisation, emissions reductions, and renewable energy targets,” said Seán Finan. “We are ready to take the next steps to make bioenergy happen now.”

02/10/2025

Irish Bioenergy Association - IRBEA is proud to announce the 24th edition of our flagship National Bioenergy Conference, the premier event for Ireland’s bioenergy community. IrBEA gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsors, Gas Networks Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Worrell Harvesting Ltd.

📅 Thursday, 9th October 2025
📍 Killashee, Naas, Co. Kildare

This year’s conference will shine a spotlight on the critical role bioenergy must play in Ireland’s renewable energy future. Through keynote sessions, expert panels and interactive discussions we will explore:

🌱 Key Themes & Topics
Join us as we explore what’s needed to accelerate bioenergy in Ireland and beyond, with expert insights, policy updates and real-world case studies across the bioenergy spectrum:

🔹 Making Bioenergy Happen – What’s required to drive deployment
🔹 European Policy Updates – RENURE, biomethane, and biomass sector developments
🔹 Carbon Dioxide Removals – The role of bioenergy in EU legislative frameworks
🔹 Biomethane & Circular Economy – European policy and regulatory updates
🔹 Investor Perspective – Developing large-scale projects beyond Ireland
🔹 Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) – Implementation insights
🔹 Public Perception – Overcoming industry concerns around biomass for heat and decarbonisation
🔹 Biochar for Net Zero – Exploring the opportunity
🔹 Supply Chain Activation – Delivering bioenergy through collaboration
🔹 District Heating – The role of bioenergy in this emerging sector
🔹 Wood Fuel & Forestry – Enabling sustainable forest management
🔹 Renewable Transport Fuel Policy – Current and future directions

👉 Event website for further details: www.nationalbioenergyconference.ie
🎟️ Register Now to Secure Your Place
https://irbea24nationalbioenergy.eventbrite.ie
Contact: [email protected]/[email protected]

01/09/2025

Exhibitor Announced for Upcoming National Bioenergy Conference 2025

We’re delighted to share that & Co. will be an exhibitor at this year’s 24th National Bioenergy Conference, hosted by Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) on Thursday the 9th of October 2025 at the prestigious Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare. This event unites industry leaders, technology providers, policymakers, investors, and innovators to accelerate Ireland’s hashtag transition.

Brennan & Co are distributors of industrial and healthcare products, supported by specialist teams and engineers, delivering innovative solutions and tailored service for healthcare, industrial, life science and pharmaceutical environments.

Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with the IrBEA Executive team while networking with leading voices from across the bioenergy sector—spanning both business and government. It’s a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future direction of bioenergy in Ireland and Europe and to be part of the conversations shaping the industry’s path forward.

👉 Registration is now open! Secure your place today. https://lnkd.in/eD-bTVeR

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

13/08/2025

📅 Save the Date!
Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA)’s 24th National Bioenergy Conference
🗓️ Thursday, 9th October
📍 Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare

🌍 Ireland’s low-carbon transition is entering a critical phase—hashtag must take centre stage.

Join industry leaders, policymakers, investors and innovators as we tackle the pressing need to accelerate bioenergy deployment. With 2030 climate targets looming, this year’s conference is about turning ambition into action.

Key focus areas:
🚧 Regulatory barriers & funding gaps
🌾 Bioenergy in rural development
🔋 Bioenergy’s role in decarbonising industry, agriculture, heat & power
📈 Investment models & innovation opportunities
🌬️ Real-world case studies (e.g., biomass from storm windblow)
♻️ hashtag & grid flexibility
🚀 Theme: This year’s theme reflects a shift toward delivery, collaboration and measurable impact.

💡 Whether you're working on hashtag , hashtag , hashtag , or implementation—this is a must-attend event to shape the bioenergy roadmap for Ireland.

🤝 Interested in Sponsorship or Exhibition?
Contact Teresa O'Brien at 📧 [email protected]

24/06/2025

Listen to short clip from James Manley, CycleØ Country Manager for Ireland and Seán Finan, CEO of IrBEA the Irish Bioenergy Association, talk about how well-managed and operated agri-centric biogas plants represent a low safety risk.

Learn more about why the organic nature of the plants means they do not process any hazardous substances that could cause a public health risk.

Listen to James Manley, CycleØ Country Manager for Ireland and Sean Finan, CEO of IrBEA the Irish Bioenergy Association, talk about how well-managed and oper...

12/03/2025

🌿 Spring Update from WFQA – Welcoming New Members! 🌿

As we step into spring, it's the perfect time to celebrate the continued growth of the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme! 🌱🔥

We're thrilled to welcome several new suppliers, further strengthening our mission to promote high-quality, sustainable wood fuel across Ireland. With these latest additions, the WFQA now proudly represents over 100 certified suppliers, ensuring a reliable network for clean, dry, and well-graded wood fuel, woodchip, wood pellets & briquettes.

Find your WFQA suppliers: https://www.wfqa.org/firewood-suppliers-in-ireland.html

This milestone highlights the vital role of the WFQA in supporting sustainable practices and efficient combustion. Thank you to all our members for your dedication to quality and sustainability! 💚



Congratulations to new members...
Machine Timber Specialist, briquettes supplier in Co. Wicklow
Carlow Firewood, firewood supplier in Co. Carlow
All Aspect Tree Care, firewood supplier in Co. Meath
Castle Fuels, firewood supplier in Co. Kerry
Casey Fencing, firewood supplier in Co. Cork
Winters Renewables, woodchip supplier in Co. Antrim
Kingstar Future Fuels, briquettes supplier in Co. Westmeath
Fire It Up Fuels Ltd., firewood supplier in Co. Wicklow
All Star Heating, firewood supplier in Co.Mayo
Independent Fencing, firewood suppliers in Co. Dublin
Casey Fencing and Fuel Centre, firewood suppliers in Co. Cork
Siopa Linn, firewood suppliers in Co. Wexford
Patrick Lynch Firewood, firewood supplier in Co. Cork

03/03/2025

The Solid Biomass Capacity Statement which was completed late last year (2024) by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) provides evidence of the sector's ability to deliver decarbonised heating using solid biomass. It examines the current and future availability of solid biomass in Ireland, the supply network, and the capacity for chipping and mobilisation. The report highlights industry expertise in system design, installation, and maintenance, as well as technology availability, sustainability, and air quality considerations. It also outlines financial supports for renewable heat supply and showcases successful biomass heating projects across various sectors.

Take the time to read this timely report at the link below, which instills confidence in high-energy industries to integrate bioenergy solutions into their energy strategy and we look forward to growth in the sector going forward.
https://irbea.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IrBEA-Solid-Biomass-Capacity-Statement-Final.pdf

08/01/2025