Energy Minister Arlene Foster is seeking views on the draft Bioenergy Action Plan, which sets out how Northern Ireland can capitalise on natural energy resources. Bioenergy is an organic based resource that can be grown or collected, including energy crops, wood products, farm by-products and food processing waste.
The Minister commented, "The publication of this first cross departmental draft action plan sets out how bioenergy can make an increased contribution to a more sustainable energy future in Northern Ireland. The successful and sustainable development of bioenergy has the potential to contribute to security of supply, deliver carbon emission reductions, provide business and employment opportunities as well as contributing to the challenging renewable energy targets proposed within the draft Strategic Energy Framework 2009, which was launched for consultation last month."
In similar news, a new policy statement outlining Northern Ireland's plans to encourage the development of renewable energy projects has been published by Environment Minister Edwin Poots. The document entitled Planning Policy Statement 18 (PPS 18), explains Northern Ireland's attempts to develop such projects at suitable locations throughout the country.
Mr Poots said, "Renewable energy development will not only help the environment - it can provide significant opportunities for local firms to use their extensive skills and knowledge base to develop a local renewable energy industry. By creating jobs, the increased use of renewable energy provides opportunities for rural diversification and for the alternative use of agricultural land in the production of renewable energy crops."
