As well as providing clean, sustainable, carbon neutral energy, short rotation coppice willow development also provides genuine business opportunities for Irish farmers who wish to diversify. The move to use locally sourced willow chip is giving niche farmers work growing energy crops and for the first time Rural Generation can guarantee to buy local farmers’ willow for a set price. This is not only advantageous for Ireland environmentally - but also creates and sustains jobs during an increasingly challenging time.

Tom Brennan, Managing Director Rural Generation comments: “This contract clearly highlights that there is a definite market for willow and we are looking for farmers to sign up to 10-year contracts to supply the plant. This could provide a valuable business opportunity for tillage farmers who have excess drying capacity for part of the year.”

“Planting willow costs around £2,400 per hectare and growers can apply for a 50% establishment grant from DARD and receive an additional £240 per hectare contribution from Standard Brands and Rural Generation, reducing the initial cost to around £960 per hectare.”

“Rural Generation is offering an index linked price per tonne for wet or dry willow over the next 10 years.”

Rural Generation are planning to plant 200ha of willow this year, increasing to 600ha the following year to meet the estimated demand.

George McDonnell, Standard Brands’ factory director in Castlebellingham commented: “We have been looking to develop an Irish, 100% natural fire log for some time and including willow has allowed us to tick all the boxes.”