Anaerobic digestion (AD) plants should be welcomed in communities due to the benefits they bring for rural Ireland and the agricultural sector.

This is according to Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien who spoke at the recent Biomethane Day Ireland conference in Dublin.

Minister O’Brien said that while he spends a lot of time with colleagues across all parties discussing AD and biomethane, more needs to be done at a political level to educate TDs and senators on the sector’s importance, adding that it is not a nice to have but an absolute imperative.

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He said there are currently seven AD plants under construction in Ireland, representing around 12% of the Government’s 2030 biomethane target.

Feedstock

These facilities will purchase feedstock from local farmers, while producing renewable gas to strengthen energy security.

Nephin Renewable Gas, which organised the conference, is currently constructing its Ballinrobe AD plant in Co Mayo.

Over its lifetime, the facility is expected to purchase approximately €200m worth of feedstock from farmers in the surrounding area.

Guidelines

Minister O’Brien also told attendees that planning guidelines for local authorities for AD plants are currently in development.

He said he has seen and watched decisions which have shown a lack of consistency across local authorities’ planning decisions, particularly in relation to zoning, permitted development and the interpretation of planning policy for AD facilities.

The guidelines are expected to be published later this year, he said.

RHO

Minister O’Brien said he was disappointed that the key multiplier in the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO), which was to drive biomethane production in Ireland, was refused by the European Commission, but gave his guarantee that he is personally continuing to work with the officials from the Commission in Brussels on this matter.