Biomethane produced by farmers could reduce carbon emissions in Ireland by 700,000t per annum by 2030 and improve biodiversity, air, and water quality by reducing nitrates runoff, according to the Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI).

Speaking to the Oireachtas Environment Committee, RGFI CEO PJ McCarthy said a biomethane sector supported by the “appropriate Government policy”, has the “potential to replace natural gas in a way that is technically feasible and commercially viable”.

Biomethane is a carbon-neutral renewable gas made from farm and food waste through anaerobic digestion (AD).

Climate neutral farming

McCarthy described the income farmers can generate through anaerobic digestion, as a “central enabler to climate-neutral farming” and said it would create “3,000 sustainable jobs” in rural Ireland.

He called on Government to “socialise the cost of biomethane production” through the introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) scheme, aimed at incentivising the use of renewable heat while spreading the obligation across all non-renewable fuel types.

McCarthy said the RHO commitment is included in the Climate Action Plan 2021 but warned that “time is of the essence” and that Government must introduce it “as soon as possible”.

Strategy

IFA president Tim Cullinan called on Government to develop a national biomethane strategy backed by funding and streamlined regulations so farmers have confidence to invest in AD, particularly small-scale plants on farms.

“The energy produced can be used on the farm, while excess electricity or heat can be exported to provide additional revenue, increasing the sustainability of the farm business and reducing on-farm emissions,” he said.

However, scientist Dr Ciara Beausang warned that “biogas production itself may result in greenhouse gas emissions”. She said that using high shares of grass silage to produce biogas “may have negative environmental impacts” due to the “increasing fertiliser application” required.