Biofuels to be developed in Kilkenny

Kilogen, one of eight regional green energy services companies (Gescos) that produce bio-energy fuels, has the largest land base of the fuel’s crop production in the country, the Athlone Advertiser reports.

Each of the Gescos are to provide heat and power technologies for consumers and businesses in the county in a bid to reduce the impact of rising fuel costs.

Ireland’s fuel security may be bolstered by the development of the fuel, the news source surmises, as miscanthus, a perennial grass, industrial hemp and switchgrass will be grown to meet the needs of growers and the bio-fuel industry.

Kilogen Gesco Director Gavin Wallace said: “Over the next five years, Kilogen will create 25 jobs in Kilkenny and foster much needed expertise in the developing bio-energy industry for our county and the surrounds.”

Each regional Gesco is affiliated with the Green Energy Growers Association, which supports farming families in order to build an independent bio-energy market.