Now it is time to turn Carlow into a renewable energy centre, by becoming the leader in bioethanol production. Greencore who own the factory decided to close the Carlow plant as part of a commercially driven rationalisation plan. With the closure of the Mallow plant , a unique opportunity arises to turn the Carlow factory into a Bio-Fuel plant. I believe that turning round the Carlow plant from the production of sugar to the production of ethanol would provide an alternative source of income for sugar beet growers and create sustainable employment. .

While business interests have indicated a desire to locate to Carlow to develop a bio- refinery this would cost in the region of €90m. Carlow has the site and the machinery to support an ethanol plant (some of the machinery was moved to Mallow in a costly and futile exercise) but I have no doubt with capital injection at the Carlow plant, to the tune of approximately €25m this could put the county at the heart of a dynamic fledgling industry. The micro conditions for the emerging industry; land bank, skilled work force, feedstocks and local support are good but the macro conditions - fuel tax remissions, accelerated capital allowances are not. Currently the eight-targeted pilot projects will be allowed to produce 205 million litres of biofuel up to 2010. barely meeting the EU Biofuel Directive

Carlow, formerly produced half of the National quota for sugar; roughly 660,000 tonnes of sugar beet. Was processed at the factory. Thus it could produce approximately 1.7% of Irish National consumption of petrol or 0.72% of our transport fuels. By supporting the production of ethanol, the plant could not only survive but also be at the cutting edge of this new industry. In this new environment Carlow farmers and business interests would find it economically viable to produce transport and heating fuels, generating employment in this sector, particularly in rural, disadvantaged areas. In so doing the Carlow Sugar Factory could be at the heart of the bioethanol industry. .

With the EU about to take legal proceedings against Ireland over it’s failure to implement a renewable energy policy and with growing interest in a new nuclear programme in Britain and with the recent Forfas report signalling the need to consider the nuclear option, Biofuels could make an enormous contribution to Ireland’s energy needs. With regard to our national energy security, a modest quantity of farmland could drive our entire public transport system. A shift of one hectare in seven currently in pasture for animal production, to biofuels, would supply some of the diesel requirements of industry and/or ethanol for commercial vehicles. It is estimated that 0.5 million hectares of land could supply 10% of Ireland’s total energy needs This suggests that Ireland’s economy could weather the impending oil shock if it makes plans now for a biofuel industry. The fact that biofuel production is more or less carbon neutral is a major plus.

In this troubled world, a sustainable fuel supply that is good for the consumer good for farmers and good for the environment and which is an integral part of sustaining our economy, is a winner. A few simple actions on behalf of the Government could ensure that Carlow becomes a giant of the renewable energy sector.

Cllr Mary White

Dept Leader, Green Party

Filed under: Mary White TD