The new Fine Gael agricultural group has been urged by the Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) to seize the opportunity presented by renewable energy for farming.
Eddie Downey has been selected to head up the party’s new National Agricultural, Food and Rural Development Forum. The MREF has welcomed a commitment given by the forum to prioritise a support scheme for farmers keen to invest in renewable energy and develop an additional income stream.
In Micro-Renewable Energy Federation chair Pat Smith’s view, the forum of the “tremendous” potential for farmers to invest in renewable technologies. But he added that there were delays and uncertainties regarding policy changes and supports that farmers need to invest in renewable power. “It has become an embarrassing fiasco that changes to the planning code which would exempt solar energy installations on the roofs of farming buildings and commercial premises have taken four years and we still do not know when these critical changes will happen,” he commented.
He urged Minister of State with responsibility for planning Peter Burke to ensure that the necessary legislation is enacted before the Dáil summer recess.
Smith also said that grant support of €2,400 for solar PV installations, promised by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan to small businesses and farmers, will not be of any benefit due to unworkable restrictions. “Unless this situation is addressed, farmers and small businesses will conclude that government is not serious and only paying lip service to Ireland’s climate action targets and the need to switch from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy.”
He concluded saying that farmers and the micro-renewable energy sector need clarity.