Briquette production in Offaly to end this year

BORD na Mona will cease briquette production in Derrinlough in Offaly later this year, the company said this afternoon.

The move comes earlier than expected because the closure of the plant had initially been scheduled for the first three months of 2024.

A Bord na Mona spokesperson told the Tullamore Tribune: “This is part of the company’s wider commitment to cease peat harvesting in 2021, exhaust existing peat stocks for briquette production, and complete its transition from a traditional peat business to a climate solutions company.”

The spokesperson added: “Bord na Móna is fully committed to supporting all impacted employees through the transition and is engaging on redeployment and retraining opportunities across the wider businesses.”

Sources close to the factory indicated late last week that because of the condition of the peat stockpile required for the manufacture of the briquette bales, and the deterioration in the machinery, which will not be refurbished, the early wind down of the plant was expected.

Speaking on Tuesday morning before Bord na Mona's confirmation of the 2023 cessation of production, workers' representative Henry O'Shea, SIPTU, said: “There is a current round of discussions which started before Christmas and those discussions are ongoing.”

Mr O'Shea added: “We have engaged with the company around what the next phase of Bord na Mona's cessation of all peat production is going to look like.

“The rumour is that the original plan for the closure of Derrinlough is going to have to be brought forward but how far forward is the question.

“We're in discussions at the moment as a follow-up to the current just transition agreement and we are engaging with the company and we are discussing the redeployment of as many employees as possible.”

The local Fianna Fail TD for Laois-Offaly, Deputy Barry Cowen, said he had advised the staff, through their unions to continue meeting management on the change that is forthcoming.

“There should be no decision without the agreement of the workforce, end of story,” said Deputy Cowen.

“That agreement with the workforce will have to include adequate provision for them.”

The closure of the Derrinlough factory follows the end of briquette production at Littleton, north Tipperary, in 2018.

In 2000 Bord na Mona's other peat briquette factory in Offaly, Croghan Briquette Factory in Mountlucas, closed down.

Briquettes were a hugely popular solid fuel for households because burning the compressed peat bricks generates more heat than ordinary sod turf.

Recently however the price of the briquettes has soared and there has also been criticism of Bord na Mona's exit from peat production while Ireland continues to important similar fuel products.

Speaking in the Dail recently, Deputy Cowen said he was aware of the “impending cessation of operations” at the briquette factory and described it as “the last original core activity” of Bord na Mona.

With the decarbonisation of Bord na Mona continuing, he said now is the opportune time for the SEAI to provide new grant aid for “new windows and doors, together with boiler alterations, to accommodate hydrotreated vegetable oil and biogas fuels, ensuring a 50% reduction in emissions and a contribution by those households that otherwise would not have this”.

The Clara-based TD also called for Bord na Mona to make some of its “excess” land available for communities who wish to pursue projects.

Deputy Cowen said an energy generation project was being developed for Noggus Bog near Ferbane which had the potential to generate between €400,000 or €500,000 for the community.

The TD told the Dail that in the 1940s landowners made lands available “for the greater good of communities in the region”.

“There is now a brilliant opportunity for Bord na Móna and the State to reciprocate and return that favour to communities. Community energy projects should not be confined to a 5 MW cap,” he said.

“The EU directive to be transposed into Irish law relating to community projects clearly states that such projects can compete on a level playing pitch with commercial projects.”

Speaking to the Tribune this week, Deputy Cowen said he had brought those involved from Ferbane to meet the Taoiseach and he had been told by Government representatives that they will help the group.

He said he had been told by Minister of State Ossian Smyth that a meeting would be arranged with Energy Minister Eamon Ryan.

“I've sought that meeting since,” said Deputy Cowen.

If the Ferbane pilot project – which could involve solar or wind in partnership with commercial interests - could be shown to be successful, it could be replicated in other places.

Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Cowen called for action to enable communities to benefit from local energy projects.

He said: “I call on the Minister and Government to put in place a task force that can specifically recommend changes to the relevant legislation or the semi-State remit or terms of reference that may exist within the likes of Bord na Móna in order to ensure that such potential can be realised and bring communities together and make sure that they can participate in a demand-led drive towards energy provision that is lacking at present. We cannot wait, despite the good intentions and goodwill, and notwithstanding the work that has been done by Bord na Móna in that regard.”