Calculating Energy Cash Crops for the 21st Century

Sustainable Energy Ireland and Teagasc are launching three dedicated energy crop calculators at the Teagasc stand at the National Ploughing Championships, in Kilkenny today, Tuesday, 23 September.

The Hemp, Willow and Miscanthus calculators, available online (www.sei.ie/calc/seicalculator.html) provides extensive information including the economics, annual value to the farmer / landowner per hectare in growing hemp or willow. Default figures are provided that can be altered to suit individual circumstances taking the user on a journey into the merits of growing hemp, willow and miscanthus as cash crops for the 21st century

At the launch SEI’s Paul Dykes said: “Ireland has a significant bioenergy potential – at a time of great change in our agricultural sector, the development of our largely untapped bioenergy resources will contribute greatly to the overall security of energy supply. The increased use of dedicated energy crops such as hemp, willow and miscanthus will make significant contributions to our renewable energy targets, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist in rural development by providing and sustaining new enterprises and employment while developing opportunities for Ireland’s farming and forestry sectors.”

Teagasc energy crop specialist Barry Caslin said: “The possibility of using crops for fuel is one of the most exciting developments of recent years. For example to meet the electricity and heat targets set out for Ireland, 70,000 hectares of willow and miscanthus will be required by 2015. These calculators are a valuable resource for anyone looking at energy crops as a new businesses opportunity. They will highlight the yield, economic value taking the price of oil and biomass into account and even the pay back period for planting willow, hemp and miscanthus.”