Community biogas on the cards for Birr

Anaerobic digestion plants often face opposition from the surrounding communities. However, one community now sees an opportunity in AD.

The Dealer

27 January 2021

Community-based anaerobice digestion is a relatively new concept in Ireland.

I see the community group Birr 20:20 CLG is commissioning a feasibility study into a community anaerobic digestion (AD) plant.

The Just Transition Fund project will explore how an AD plant could become an income-earning opportunity for part-time farmers made redundant by Bord na Mona through growing bioenergy crops. One can’t help contrast the situation in Birr, where the community is exploring how AD can work for it, while just up the road in Tullamore the community is up in arms over a proposed AD plant.

I wonder will former Minister of Agriculture Barry Cowen be as quick to object to the Birr renewable energy plant, as he did in Tullamore?

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