Bord na Móna’s ‘absurd’ importation of woodchips from Brazil for power generation defended

Bord na Móna, a ‘green’ power plant, has come under fire for importing woodchips from Brazil to burn in their Edenderry power plant in Co. Offaly. The move has been criticized by national watchdog An Taisce as “absurd” due to the impact of shipping and the associated carbon and biodiversity impacts. However, Bord na Móna argues that the fuel is necessary to meet their renewable energy requirements, and sources sustainable material primarily from indigenous suppliers. Though the company has not specified its percentage of woodchip imports from Brazil, it insists that the plant will be fully biomass-fueled by 2024. Despite the criticism, a government source claims that the importation from Brazil is an exception, and Bord na Móna mainly uses Irish suppliers, with all imported materials having to be observed and checked for sustainability.