A key challenge internationally is the design of future electricity systems which will bring about
emissions savings and fuel security at least cost. Peat is used to generate electricity in several EU
countries, mainly to take advantage of indigenous resources and increase fuel mix diversity. The Irish
government has introduced a target of 30% cofiring of peat and biomass by 2015. This paper assesses
the feasibility of achieving this target by calculating the available indigenous biomass resource capable
of being cofired; the cost of meeting the target; the benefits in terms of carbon abatement; and finally
the present value in economic terms of meeting the target. Results demonstrate that Ireland has only
half the necessary resource to meet the 30% target and that the net cost of doing so is greater than the
cost of what is currently being paid for peat, in all of the scenarios considered. Thus, it is concluded that
while it may be technically possible to meet the target by combining national resources with imported
biomass this is never the least cost option, and as a result the targeted focus of Government policy may
need to be reconsidered