An €80m deal launched between Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease and Carbon AMS is to see farmers supply the feedstock needed to generate enough biomethane to heat the pharmaceutical manufacturer’s sites in Dublin and Athlone over the next 15 years.

The biomethane plant is under construction at Duleek, Co Meath, and Carbon AMS has said that it will source “locally produced feedstocks” from farmers within a 15km radius of the facility.

The feedstock is to be sourced through a long-term supply agreement with Lunderstown Green Energy, which is operated by Donal Hartford and Brugha Duffy.

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The project has promised to create an “alternative income stream for farmers, enabling them to diversify their family farm income”.

Biomethane

The facility will initially produce 42 giga-watt hours of biomethane per year using grass and other agricultural feedstocks, with completion forecast for 2026.

Carbon AMS CEO Richard Kennedy called the agreement a “game-changer for the Irish agri biomethane sector” that demonstrates a “significant potential” for renewable gas production.

“The Duleek facility will not only provide Alexion with a reliable source of clean heat, but also support local agriculture and contribute to Ireland's energy independence,” Kennedy stated.

Carbon AMS to has said that the Duleek project marks just the first of a number of facilities planned by the company across the country.