The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) has revealed that Stephen McCormack has been appointed as a project officer for the association

Seán Finan, IrBEA CEO, said: “On behalf of IrBEA, I’m delighted to welcome Stephen McCormack to the association.

“I wish him the best of luck and every success in his new role. Stephen brings with him a wealth of experience to the organisation and we look forward to working with him at this pivotal juncture as Ireland transitions to renewables away from fossil fuels.”

McCormack holds a bachelor degree in Energy, Sustainability and the Environment from IT Sligo. He also holds a postgraduate in Environmental Management.

According to the association, the incoming officer “brings a broad range of experience and knowledge to the IrBEA and will join the IrBEA team at an exciting time for the renewable energy sector”.

Stephen McCormack (centre) at the IrBEA 20th anniversary celebrations last November

McCormack will focus on the delivery of the recently commenced Interreg NW Europe Three C Project.

This project will focus on the circular carbon economy through the development of value-added carbon products and services based on biochar and carbon feedstocks. He will also be involved in other project and work programmes within the organisation.

Prior to joining IrBEA, he worked for a number of years with the Regional Development team at the Western Development Commission.

During that time he worked on the RE-DIRECT project and the Blue Circular Economy project, two ERDF funded projects looking at the area of the circular economy.

Commenting, McCormack said:

“I am delighted to be able to join the team here at IrBEA.

I think the work done by the association is invaluable and I am looking forward to working with the team, the members and wider stakeholders to help further the development of the sector in any way I can.

“I see great potential in the role bioenergy will play in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and I am particularly interested in the possible intersection of bioenergy and environmental improvements that the Three C project will explore.”