NI grants could see more farm waste in biofuel composition

Biofuel composition in the Northern Ireland (NI) agricultural sector could consist of more farm waste with the news that nearly £1 million has been allocated to nine schemes to promote the conversion of biomass into usable energy sources.

In all, £967,000 has been offered to nine farms for use on schemes that can turn agricultural waste into fuel for use in energy generation or heating.

The grants are part of the EU Biomass Processing Challenge Fund announced in June, which aims to increase the level of resources from land-based industries like agriculture going into biofuel composition and renewable power generation.

NI minister Michelle Gildernew says: "I am encouraged that the land-based sector has brought forward these projects and that we can offer financial support in these difficult economic times."

Using waste materials for heating and power helps to increase both the energy security and the competitiveness of the agricultural sector as a core component of the funding initiative, she adds.