FOCUS ON BOILERS
MANUFACTURER - FIREBIRD HEATING SOLUTIONS
BIOFUELS SUCH AS HVO OFFER A SUSTAINABLE HOME HEATING ALTERNATIVE TO RETROFITTING, FINANCE MINISTER JACK CHAMBERS HEARD DURING A VISIT TO FIREBIRD’S CORK SITE… Firebird pledges to play its part in achieving emission targets
Firebird Heating Solutions recently welcomed Minister for Finance Jack Chambers, who met with the organisation’s 100-plus employees on a flying visit to Cork. During his visit to the Baile Mhic Íre factory, Minister Chambers also met with representatives from the UK & Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA), as well as local home heating installers and service engineers. During the Minister’s visit, Firebird Managing Director Mark Doyle delivered a presentation on HVO and why biofuels need to be part of the home heating solution for the thousands of homes in Ireland where retrofitting is not an option. The visit to Firebird’s factory comes at a critical time, as Ireland faces the challenge of potentially missing its EU Effort Sharing Regulation target of a 42% emissions reduction by 2030. Businesses such as Firebird want to play their part in reaching emission targets. “The Government’s recognition of biofuels is a crucial step toward closing this emissions gap, protecting thousands of jobs in the heating industry and ensuring that Ireland meets its climate commitments,” said Mark. As a result of the Government’s recognition of biofuels, over 700,000 homeowners with existing oil-fired boiler homes will have access to financially- viable technology choices that meet their unique needs and allow them to positively support Ireland’s achievement of its climate action targets. Leading the charge in innovation, Firebird has trialled and tested biofuel HVO in Ireland and the UK to prove that it can be implemented almost immediately. The conversion requires no modification to existing home heating systems at the 20% blend proposed.
The Minister met with Firebird’s 100-plus employees during the visit.
“The Government’s commitment to retrofitting Irish homes and installing renewable energy heating sources has always been crucial in supporting our national emissions targets for 2030,” said Mark. “However, many homeowners have struggled with the high costs associated with these retrofits. “Minister Chambers’ visit and his keen interest in meeting with the industry firsthand to learn more about the opportunities for Ireland around HVO. marks a turning point for our industry. Hopefully, we are within sight of the Government’s formal recognition of biofuels including HVO, and with that we will have a clear path for widespread consumer adoption. “This recognition of biofuels would not only secure the jobs of our dedicated team at Firebird but would also protect
thousands of jobs across the heating industry. It’s a crucial step toward making sustainable home heating solutions more accessible and affordable for Irish homeowners, while also supporting the Government’s climate action targets.” For years, Firebird has been working closely with oil distributors, service engineers and other home heating solution manufacturers to tackle this issue, convince the Government to officially recognise biofuels for heating, and remove the obstacles to its use. This collective effort shows a strong commitment to helping homeowners meet Ireland’s ambitious emissions reduction targets and to advancing towards a more sustainable future.
T: +353 (0)26 45253 E: sales@firebird.ie www.firebird.ie
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