 6th February 2026/ In response to the continued growth and increasing technical depth of Ireland’s bioenergy sector, The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) is introducing a new two-event format for the National Bioenergy Conference in 2026. Rather than a single broad event, the conference will now be delivered as two standalone, sector-focused conferences. The first conference taking place on Thursday May 7th will focus on solid biomass and biochar with the second conference taking place on Thursday October 8th will focus on biomethane and biofuel. Each event is dedicated to a key pillar of the bioenergy industry. This approach allows for more targeted technical content, clearer policy discussion and stronger engagement between industry, policymakers and project developers. National Bioenergy Conference – Solid Biomass A dedicated forcus for the biomass sector IrBEA’s 25th National Bioenergy Conference – Solid Biomass is taking place on Thursday the 7th of May 2026, it will provide a focused platform for the solid biomass, biochar and wood fuels sector at a time of increasing policy, market and investment activity. This event is designed specifically for stakeholders involved in:
IrBEA seeks sponsors for the National Bioenergy Conference – Solid Biomass For sponsors, the dedicated biomass event offers:
Contact UsIf you would like to discuss sponsorship with IrBEA, please contact Teresa O’Brien at [email protected] or Sean Finan at [email protected] IrBEA would also like to invite expressions of interest from potential conference exhibitors There are exhibiting / trade stand opportunities at this conference for companies and organisations. Please get in touch with Teresa O’Brien [email protected] to discuss the opportunities available.
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Moisture content is an important factor to consider when buying firewood in Ireland. The moisture content of firewood is the amount of water present in the wood, and it can have a significant impact on the performance of the firewood. When buying firewood, it's important to look for wood that has a moisture content of less than 20%. This is considered to be the ideal moisture content for firewood, as it will burn more efficiently and produce less smoke and creosote.
To ensure that you're getting dry firewood, it's best to buy firewood that has been seasoned for at least six months. Seasoned firewood has had time to dry out, which will make it burn more efficiently and produce less smoke and creosote. In Ireland, firewood should be stored in a dry place, protected from rain. Buying firewood that is stored in a shed or under a tarp is a good indication that it is dry. Avoid buying firewood that is stored outside or in a damp area, as this can indicate that the firewood has a high moisture content. In conclusion, moisture content is a crucial factor to consider when buying firewood in Ireland. Look for firewood with a moisture content of less than 20%, and ensure that it has been seasoned for at least six months before buying.  This Solid Biomass Capacity Statement authored by a multi-disciplinary team within IrBEA aims to give market confidence and certainty to energy users regarding the availability and capacity of the solid biomass sector to deliver renewable decarbonised heating solution in Ireland as they transition from fossil fuels to renewable fuels.
Bioenergy is the largest source of renewable energy globally To constrain global surface temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the Paris Agreement, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC), and more recently the International Energy Agency (IEA), have stated the need to greatly reduce fossil fuel carbon emissions in the move to carbon neutrality by mid-century. Among the measures identified is a ramping-up of modern bioenergy deployment, and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). IrBEA through its Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme has worked to develop a nationwide network of certified solid biomass suppliers over the last decade. This network of suppliers of all types of wood fuels including firewood, wood chip, wood pellets and wood briquettes are well equipped to satisfy the biomass resource needs of heat users. Full report is available here The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) and the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) Scheme are delighted to report that the first two wood fuel drying workshops of the year, held in June and July, were a great success. These free events welcomed IrBEA and WFQA members, potential new members and a wide range of interested stakeholders from across the wood fuel sector. Designed to deepen understanding of wood fuel drying techniques and support compliance with the Solid Fuel Regulations, the workshops combined with site visits. Attendees gained valuable practical knowledge, explored real-world drying methods and engaged in meaningful discussions with experienced industry professionals. Each event showcased unique aspects of the wood fuel drying process, with participants encouraged to attend multiple workshops to benefit from the full learning experience. The demonstrations highlighted the crucial role of moisture content management in producing high-quality wood fuel, with drying methods tailored to wood type, scale and available resources. IrBEA extends its sincere thanks to Murphy's Firewood, Kildare and OK Fuels, Waterford for generously hosting these events. Their support was instrumental in delivering such informative and engaging sessions. We look forward to continuing this successful series and further supporting the industry on its journey toward best practice and regulatory compliance. photographs from the demonstration day at Murphy's firewood sales, co. kildarePhotographs from the demonstration DAY at OK Fuels, Lismore, Co. Waterford The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) hosted a successful seminar last month at the Killashee Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare.
Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders at a successful seminar focused on the vital role of biomass in decarbonising industrial heat. The event underscored the growing momentum for bioenergy solutions across Ireland’s industrial and commercial sectors, especially in light of the Irish Government’s newly launched roadmap for industrial heat decarbonisation. 📢 Catch up on the highlights 👉 View the full update and access to live recordings from this IrBEA seminar here: 🔗 Presentations 🙏 IrBEA extends its sincere thanks to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Worrell Timber Group, Balcas Energy, South East Energy Agency (through the Interreg UNIFHY Project) and the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme for their generous support and sponsorship which helped make this event possible. We would also like to say a big thank you to the speakers who shared their expertise on the day. |
