Chicken litter is to be used to fuel a £100 million (€134 million) "green" power station, it was revealed yesterday.
Rose Energy, an initiative of leading poultry producers Moy Park and O'Kane Poultry and farmers co-op Glenfarm Holdings, has put forward proposals for a 30-megawatt power plant outside Glenavy, Co Antrim.
This would be the North's largest single green energy project, providing a third of green energy targets. By 2012 at least 12 per cent of energy used should be from renewable sources.
Under plans released for public consultation, the 30 megawatt power plant would provide 30 permanent jobs, 400 construction jobs and safeguard the 7,000 jobs in the poultry and agri-food sector. Similar plants have proved successful in Britain.
Rose Energy director Mike Alcorn said: "This is an exciting project for Northern Ireland, using proven technology to deliver huge benefits to the province on two key fronts - improving the environment and generating renewable energy.
"Rose Energy represents a huge financial commitment, the majority of which is being privately funded. The relevant government departments are aware of our proposals and have indicated their support in principle."
With a guaranteed 250,000 tonnes of fuel, it is more reliable than wind and solar power, but upwards of €30 million will have to be found in the budget for completion of the project.
He added: "This is the only practical and viable solution to the problem of what to do with the poultry bedding. At the moment most is still used as a fertiliser on the land."
The power plant will enable the farming industry to meet EU directives on the disposal of nitrates, found heavily in chicken litter. Since coming into force in January 2007, farmers have struggled to meet the guidelines on the disposal of animal waste.