Bord na Móna (Irish pronunciation: (bˠoːɾˠd̪ˠ nə mˠoːn̪ˠə) — English: Peat Board), abbreviated BNM, is a semi-state company in Ireland, created in 1946 by the Turf Development Act 1946. The company is responsible for the mechanised harvesting of peat, primarily in the Midlands of Ireland. Extensive bogland is exploited in County Offaly, County Longford and County Westmeath, mainly the Bog of Allen.
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The company is responsible, under government action, for reclaiming spent bogland. These areas of land are usually cleared up, with trees or other suitable vegetation being introduced. Reclaimed bogland is then usually used as a wildlife preserve. Much of the bogs of Ireland have been depleted, it is likely that most peat-fired electricity stations will be closed within 25 years. Rhode Power Station near Edenderry, County Offaly, had its cooling towers demolished on 16 March 2004 as it was no longer viable, followed by Bellacorick in north County Mayo on 14 October 2007.
In July 2008, the company announced a €1.4 billion investment plan to expand and change the group's activities over a five-year period. Changes are to be phased in over twenty years and include a combination of energy, waste-management and recovery, and horticulture ventures and will end all exploitation of peat bogs. Chief Executive Officer Gabriel D'Arcy said that Bord na Móna intended to seek a partner to develop its renewable energy business.<1>
€500 million will be spent developing the group's wind farm at Oweninny in northwest County Mayo. It was the first such commercial facility in the Republic and has been in operation since 1993.<1>
Currently producing six megawatts (MW) of electricity at full capacity, the expansion will add 350MW to the farm's output. When it is completed the wind farm will have the potential to produce enough power to supply up to 350,000 homes.<1> Oweninny has enough wind to produce power approximately 35% of the time. Flexible, gas-fired facilities known as "peaking plants" - which can be activated and deactivated quickly - will be used to provide energy when there is insufficient wind.
Bord na Móna supplies peat moss fertilisers to markets in Ireland and Britain, where its biggest customer is DIY chain B&Q. Since British Government guidelines require manufacturers to reduce the amount of peat used in their products, Bord na Móna intends to capitalise on its system of fertiliser production which converts organic waste from gardens and parks, reducing the need for peat moss.
Bord na Móna bought the "AES" domestic and commercial waste and recycling collection service in 2007. Bord na Móna Environmental Products U.S. provides wastewater management, water reuse, and odor/VOC solutions to municipalities, industry, developer commercial and residential markets throughout North America.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bord_na_M%C3%B3na
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