Minister receives warm welcome at biofuel conference

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today highlighted the economic potential of the local renewable energy sector.

The Minister was speaking at the ‘Balcas Brites’ conference held in Enniskillen, which focused on a range of issues related to the sector. Fermanagh company Balcas was established in 1962 and previously focused solely on the supply of timber. In recent years the company has seized the opportunity to diversify into renewables, converting sawmilling residue, chips and bark into fuel pellets for use in biomass boilers.

The Minister said: “The activities of Balcas and the success of ‘Brites’ wood fuel pellets are an exemplar of sustainable development. This success illustrates how the transition to a low-carbon economy can offer fantastic new business opportunities and create much needed employment whilst at the same time helping the environment.”

The Minister explained to delegates that his Department’s new planning policy for renewable energy, PPS18 was designed to assist the growth of the overall renewable sector.

He said: “My Department has a significant role to play in supporting and facilitating the sector. Planning Policy Statement 18 on Renewable Energy is very supportive of the full range of renewable energy technologies which are likely to come forward, including proposals for bioenergy.”

Notes to Editors:

1. DOE’s policy is contained in Planning Policy Statement 18 ‘Renewable Energy’ (PPS18) which provides policy and guidance on renewable energy sources and the principles of Passive Solar Design within the context of reducing green house gas emissions as part of Northern Ireland’s efforts in tackling climate change.

2. Planning Policy Statements set out DOE policies on particular aspects of land use planning and other planning matters and apply to the whole of Northern Ireland. Their contents are taken into account as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications and appeals.

3. Digital copies of PPS18 and its complementary Best Practice Guidance can be obtained from the Planning Service Website

4. Hard Copies copies of PPS18 and its complementary Best Practice Guidance can be obtained from the Department’s Planning and Environmental Policy Group, Calvert House, 23 Castle Place, Belfast BT1 1FY.

5. For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 0769971 5440 and your call will be returned.