Authors:
Dr. John Reilly
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
decline, electricity, ireland, milled-peat
Summary:
Theme II. Peat for horticulture, energy and other uses
SUMMARY
Bord na Móna, the Irish State Owned Peat Company, currently produces approximately 4 Mt
(million tonnes) of milled peat annually. This is used as a growing medium in horticulture, for
the production of peat-based solid fuel products and in the generation of electricity.
EU and national climate and energy policies are putting continued pressure on the use of
milled peat. The continued drive to decrease the carbon emissions intensity of electricity
production, using instruments such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), will
result in a gradual decline in the use of milled peat in the power generation sector. The
imposition of carbon taxes and a drive towards peat free compost will contribute to the
continued decline of peat-based solid fuels and composts.
This paper looks at the prospects for milled peat production volumes over the period to 2030.
It draws on the experiences of the past and examines the key drivers likely to impact future
milled peat sales as Bord na Móna gradually transitions from a peat based Company.