WFQA

17/04/2026

Looking forward to this upcoming event, IrBEA's 25th National Bioenergy Conference – Solid Biomass 🌱

A great opportunity to hear from industry experts like Des O’Toole and Ken Worrell on energy security, forestry, and the real role biomass is playing in decarbonising industrial heat. If you are interested in practical, scalable solutions for the energy transition, this is well worth attending.

Both represent companies that are long standing WFQA members

We are pleased to spotlight two key speakers at the upcoming IrBEA's 25th National Bioenergy Conference - Solid Biomass 🌱🔥

📅 Thursday 7th May 202:6
🏨 Killashee Hotel

Des O'Toole & Ken Worrell
Des O’Toole will address the critical theme of energy security ⚡ sharing an industry perspective on how domestic biomass can strengthen resilience while delivering practical solutions for large-scale industrial heat users transitioning away from fossil fuels.
With proven examples from pharmaceutical companies, this session will highlight how biomass is already providing a scalable, dispatchable and lower-carbon alternative ♻️ for significant industrial heat demand.

🌳 Ken Worrell, of Worrell Timber Group will focus on the role of forestry and wood fuel within the energy market. His presentation will explore both the positive contribution of forestry to renewable energy supply, as well as the key challenges facing the sector offering valuable insight from a leading industry operator.

Together, these perspectives will provide a balanced and practical view of how biomass and forestry are supporting the transition to a more secure and sustainable energy future 🔋🌍

📅 Join us at the IrBEA 25th National Bioenergy Conference – Biomass to hear directly from industry leaders.

Registration🎟️ https://IrBEAConferencesolidbiomass2026.eventbrite.ie
Event website: www.nationalbioenergyconference.ie


Balcas Energy
Bord na Móna Fuels
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Teagasc
Woodco Renewable Energy
Green Belt ltd

19/03/2026

🔥 Home heating costs are really starting to bite. Looking at recent prices, even basic heating oil has jumped sharply in just a few weeks, a clear knock-on effect from global events.

🏡 It’s no wonder more people are now considering alternatives like wood fuel, stoves or pellet boilers to stay in control of their bills. With prices this unpredictable, it may be time to seriously think about more sustainable and stable heating options. 🌱

📊 Based on energy prices in Ireland (March 2026), replacing 500 litres of heating oil with wood fuel can be significantly cheaper. These figure are all approximate figures and vary considerably around the country.

• 🛢️ 500L Heating Oil: approx. €790 - €890

• 🌲 1 tonne of Firewood: approx. €300 - €500, to replace 500L oil you will need 1.3 tonnes of Firewood = €390 - €650

• 🌲 1 tonne Wood Pellets: approx. €400 – €550
⚡ 500 litres of oil (around 5,000–5,100 kWh) is roughly equivalent to 1 tonne of high-quality wood pellets.

• 🌲 1 tonne Wood Chip: approx. €170, to replace 500L oil you will need 1.6 tonnes of Wood Chip = €272

📉 Oil prices spiked by over 40% in early March due to instability in the Middle East, so the prices given here are prone to change.

🔎 For more information on Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme and where to find a WFQA wood fuel supplier in Ireland, visit www.wfqa.org

Note: the table attached is taken from www.oilprices.ie. All other price estimates are taken from suppliers across the country.

12/03/2026

More diverse Government policy and technology approach needed for domestic heating – IrBEA

For immediate release
Date: 10 March 2026

The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) responds to the publication of a new ESRI report today examining progress on residential heat decarbonisation in Ireland.

The report highlights that Ireland is currently significantly off track in achieving its residential heating targets, with deep retrofits reaching just 11.5% of the 2030 target and heat pump installations only 3.5% of the target by the end of 2024.

Responding to the ESRI findings, IrBEA CEO Seán Finan said: “The ESRI work underlines the need for a broader range of renewable heating technology solutions to be supported by Government policy.

Finan continued “Decarbonising home heating is one of the biggest challenges in Ireland’s climate transition. While electrification will play an important role, the ESRI report clearly demonstrates that current delivery rates are far below what is required. Ireland needs a wider mix of renewable heating technologies if we are to meet our climate targets.”

IrBEA is calling on Government to introduce several targeted measures to ensure renewable biomass heating is supported alongside other renewable technologies at a domestic level. These measures include:

VAT alignment for renewable heating appliances. IrBEA calls on the Government to matching the VAT rate for biomass boilers and stoves with the 0% VAT rate currently applied to solar technologies, ensuring homeowners have fair access to all renewable heating options.
Inclusion of biomass heating in grant programmes. IrBEA calls on the Government to extend existing residential grant schemes to include modern high-efficiency biomass boilers and stoves, providing homeowners with an additional pathway to replace fossil fuel heating.
Fair treatment for biomass and bioenergy fuelled appliances within energy assessment software. IrBEA calls on SEAI to ensure that the DEAP and NEAP energy assessment tools used by energy assessors properly recognise the carbon reduction benefits of renewable biomass heating systems, thus allowing architects and engineers to specify wood fuelled appliances in modern Irish homes.
IrBEA Technical Executive Noel Gavigan said: “Renewable wood fuels already provide a practical and proven heating solution for many homes across Ireland. When used in modern high-efficiency appliances with certified fuels, biomass can deliver significant carbon reductions while supporting Ireland’s forestry sector and rural economy.”

Given the current global environment, we should also consider the significant energy security benefit on relying on our own homegrown renewable biomass fuels to replace imported fossil fuels.

Gavigan continued “The Government should ensure that energy policy, taxation and assessment tools treat renewable biomass fairly alongside other renewable technologies. A balanced policy approach will allow homeowners to choose the most appropriate renewable heating option for their circumstances.”

Finan concluded “IrBEA members emphasis that renewable wood fuels represent an indigenous and sustainable energy source, supporting Ireland’s forestry sector, rural employment and energy security while helping reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. We call on Government to ensure that renewable biomass heating forms part of a technology-neutral approach to decarbonising residential heat, alongside electrification and other renewable solutions.”

Interview:

Seán Finan, IrBEA CEO is interviewed on Midlands 103 radio after this press release.

The Irish Bioenergy Association is calling for officials to promote renewable wood fuels alongside retrofitting.

12/03/2026

🌳 Tree Week in Westmeath – Planting Has Begun in Delvin! 🌳

As part of National Tree Week, Westmeath County Council is delighted to announce that tree planting has officially commenced in Delvin, in partnership with Veon Ecology and with funding support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The native tree mix includes Oak, Hazel, Birch, Cherry, Hawthorn, Rowan and Scots Pine.

This initiative will bring lasting environmental and community benefits, including:
🌱 Enhancing local biodiversity
🍃 Improving air quality
🌤️ Supporting climate action and carbon sequestration
🏞️ Strengthening local ecosystems and habitats
🌳 Adding natural beauty and long term green infrastructure
🤝 Contributing to a healthier, greener community for future generations

We look forward to seeing these new trees grow and thrive in the years ahead. Thank you to all partners and the local community for supporting this important project!

Westmeath County Council Tree Council of Ireland Coillte Veon Limited Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

09/03/2026

The Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme supports the SEAI Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, helping businesses and organisations access reliable, sustainable biomass fuel. WFQA also supports firewood for domestic use in homes across the island of Ireland ♻️

With over 130 certified suppliers, WFQA members supply high-quality wood chip, firewood, wood pellets and wood briquettes you can trust. 🔥🌲

Every certified supplier meets strict sustainability and quality standards, ensuring all wood fuels comply with the EU RED III Directive and the ISO 17225 biomass fuel standard. ✅

Choosing WFQA-certified suppliers means choosing quality, sustainability and confidence in your renewable heat supply.

Find your local certified supplier today: https://www.wfqa.org/firewood-suppliers-in-ireland.html

If you are a wood fuel supplier and looking for certification fill out an enquiry form on the website at: www.wfqa.org

26/02/2026

We’re delighted to welcome a new wave of members to the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) community! 🌿🔥

Thanks to the continued due diligence being carried out by county councils across Ireland, more and more wood fuel suppliers are recognising the importance of quality, compliance and certification. This is a hugely positive step for the wood fuel industry, raising standards, protecting consumers and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future for solid fuel nationwide.

It is encouraging to see suppliers stepping forward to be part of a certified, trusted network. Their commitment ensures customers can have full confidence in the quality and compliance of the fuel they purchase.

A special welcome to some of our new members:

John O'Sullivan Firewood, Cahersiveen, Kerry
Ted O'Riordan Firewood, Mitchelstown, Cork
All Fuel Supplies, Tralee, Kerry
Straham Timber Briquettes, Rathcoole, Dublin
Conway Firewood, New Ross, Kilkenny
Cleary Fuels Dunlavin, Wicklow
Harte solid Fuels, Killeagh, Cork

Photo caption: A picture taken recently at a WFQA drying workshop which took place at OK FUEL SUPPLIES, Lismore, Waterford.

26/02/2026

Proud moment today as we replace imported Eastern European firewood with WFQA certified Kiln Dried Standard, Irish firewood, and at a fraction of the cost for the homeowner!

26/02/2026

28/01/2026

Irish Bioenergy Association - IRBEA would like to welcome Cleary Fuels Dunlavin to the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA). Congratulations on becoming a qualified supplier of quality firewood. We’re delighted to have you join our network and look forward to a successful partnership. Cleary Fuels Dunlavin is based in Blackhill, Dunlavin, Wicklow.
Contact details: Michael and Sandra Cleary at [email protected]

28/01/2026

Irish Bioenergy Association - IRBEA would like to welcome Conway Firewood to the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA). Congratulations on becoming a qualified supplier of quality firewood. We’re delighted to have you join our network and look forward to a successful partnership. John Conway is based in Ballyknock, Rosbercon, New Ross, Kilkenny/
Contact details: [email protected]