Enniskillen facility to safeguard 200 jobs

A new wood fuel pellet production facility based in Enniskillen looks set to safeguard 200 jobs as well as create a further 20 positions in the foreseeable future.

Balcas Ltd recently started production on one of Europe’s fastest growing renewable energy sources called ‘brites’ – the bio fuel pellet.

By converting the by-products generated by the company’s timber processing activities, namely sawdust and wood chippings, into wood fuel pellets the company has been able to create a greener energy source with significant exporting potential.

Ernest Kidney, Managing Director of Balcas said: “This facility will introduce a new technology and fuel source to Northern Ireland, providing secure manufacturing employment opportunities in the local area and added security for the forestry sector.

“I also firmly believe that bio fuel pellets have the potential to deliver the energy needs of every home in Northern Ireland.”

The project is the first of its kind in the UK in terms of scale and it is estimated that the company will generate enough energy to meet all of the company’s electricity needs and potentially meet the energy requirements of over 10,000 Northern Ireland homes. The new wood fuel pellet production facility will be capable of producing approximately 50,000 tonnes of fuel pellets annually.

(MB/SP)