Role of the Irish CHP Association

The all-island dimension is important as energy markets North and South are undergoing radical restructuring and there is the opportunity now, which will not exist forever, to both optimise and harmonise the treatment of CHP in the two jurisdictions.

Harmonisation would cover everything from capital taxation and carbon tax exemptions through to the detailed rules for electricity trading. An all-island approach will also give the Association a larger spread of membership and greater critical mass in its operation. It also recognises the reality that many Irish energy players are now active on an all-island basis.

Also the Association would be free to lobby governments and policy-makers vigorously in pursuit of the advancement of CHP. What would be different about the Association is that it could pursue the overall generic interest of CHP without being restrained by other energy-related or alternative policy considerations. If it is good for CHP then the Association would be in favour, if it is bad for CHP then the Association would be opposed.

Avoiding Duplication with Other Organisations

This does not undermine the expert or representative roles of other organisations such as SEI or IBEC as these organisations have much wider remits and are inevitably more constrained in both their interactions cross-border and their dealings with government.

In the case of SEI, although highly supportive of CHP, as an arm of government themselves, they cannot reasonably be expected to lobby government. Therefore SEI cannot drive a CHP Association, although they can and will certainly help.

In the case of IBEC there is an unavoidable conflict with IBEC’s general overriding mission in Irish industry. For example, the introduction of an overall energy tax, which exempted CHP, would give an instant competitive advantage to CHP and would be welcomed by the CHP Association. However IBEC would almost certainly be duty-bound to oppose the tax as it raises energy costs for industry. If IBEC was successful CHP would lose its competitive advantage. The ICHPA contrastingly would be committed to CHP above all other considerations.

In the longer term in the context of a mature CHP market it is possible to see a CHP Association affiliate to the IBEC confederation but not at this important development juncture for the CHP sector.

UK CHP Association

Nor does ICHPA clash with the successful UK CHPA as regards Northern Ireland. Everyone in the North would be free to join either or both. However the regulatory environment in Great Britain is radically different from that which obtains in Northern Ireland and the UKCHPA therefore operates to a largely different GB agenda. This is reflected in its membership profile where -according to the UK CHPA website- none of its members are actually currently headquartered in Northern Ireland.

Nonetheless the CHPA (UK) remains an excellent resource on promoting best practice in CHP and can offer guidance, which is fully applicable in Ireland. The Irish CHPA would seek advice and assistance when appropriate from the well-established London based association.

COGEN Europe

The same is true in relation to COGEN Europe, the European umbrella organisation for CHP Associations. The Irish CHPA would (funds permitting) intend to take up full membership of COGEN Europe.

The overall role of the CHPA is therefore to fill a gap in existing provision rather than impinge on the activities of other organisations who are already doing useful work in promoting CHP. Duplication would be avoided at all costs.

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© Irish CHP Association. Last Updated: Fri 13 May 2005.