Plans have been submitted for a major new anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Ballynilard, Tipperary.
The project is being proposed by Nephin Renewable Gas, the company bidding to become Ireland’s largest AD developer. It is the fifth plant in their pipeline in Ireland, with plans for plants in Mayo, Wicklow and Cork.
They have partnered with local beef farmer Andrew Kiely, who is providing the 15ac site and will supply some of the feedstock.
The plant, located 2km west of Tipperary Town, will produce biomethane gas, which will be injected into the national gas grid located 300 m away.
The facility will include three anaerobic digesters, two digestate storage tanks, one liquid feed tank, and one fire water storage tank. In addition to biomethane, the plant will also produce captured CO2 and a bio-based fertiliser.
Feedstock
The plant will process approximately 90,000 tonnes per annum of organic feedstock, comprising a mix of agricultural manures and slurries, crop-based materials, and food and drinks production residues.
To date, 43 farmers have formally confirmed their agreement to supply feedstock and to receive bio-based fertiliser produced by the facility.
The proposed feedstock includes 7,500 tonnes of cattle slurry, 1,200 tonnes of cattle manure, 8,700 tonnes of pig slurry, 19,100 tonnes of poultry manure, 13,000 tonnes of food production residues, 9,000 tonnes of drinks production residues, 2,000 tonnes of dairy production residues, 2,000 tonnes of grass silage, and 27,500 tonnes of whole-crop silage.
The planning documents state that the agricultural manures, slurries, and crop-based feedstocks required for the plant will be sourced from agricultural operators located within the surrounding area.
To date, 43 farmers have formally confirmed their agreement to supply feedstock and to receive bio-based fertiliser produced by the facility.
Of the 43 confirmed participants, 92% (38) are located within 10 km of the site, and 100% (43) are located within 15 km.
Who is Andrew Kiely?
According to documents submitted to the council, Andrew Kiely is a local landowner and progressive farmer.
He owns and manages a farm located 160 m east of the site. The documents state that “the proposed development is fundamentally rooted in Mr Kiely’s active farm diversification strategy”.
“The applicant is transitioning from a traditional suckler enterprise to a beef finishing unit, with the proposed AD facility central to improving the holding’s sustainability and financial resilience.”
In this context, the development supports the long-term future of the farm as part of the applicant’s succession planning and the continued evolution of an established agricultural enterprise, the documents state.
Kiely will supply just under 10,000 tonnes per annum of slurry and surplus crops, which represents 100% of the manure generated on-farm.
Digestate
Similar to Nephin’s other proposals, the plant will treat the resulting digestate to recover 75% of the liquid digestate concentrate volume as clean water.
With an annual processing capacity of 90,000 tonnes of feedstock, approximately 78,000 tonnes of whole digestate are expected to be generated following anaerobic breakdown for energy recovery.
Following the screw press separation process, approximately 9,360 tonnes of solid digestate fibre will be recovered. The remaining liquid digestate will be treated within the digestate treatment unit, producing 44,600 tonnes of recovered clean water and 24,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich liquid digestate concentrate, to be stored in the digestate storage tank prior to offtake and delivery to DAFM-registered end users.
Objection
So far, the plans have received one objection from Michael Crowe, of Moinfheir Aravale, Tipperary Town.
He raised concerns regarding traffic and road safety, odour, noise, infrastructure capacity, and a lack of local consultation.
He said he is concerned that up to 50 truck visits per day (approximately 100 vehicle movements) and up to 700 additional truck or tractor journeys per week could pose road safety risks, lead to effluent spillages on public roads, and place pressure on existing road infrastructure.
Crowe also expressed concerns about potential odour impacts on residential amenity and is seeking guarantees on odour elimination, as well as a clear complaints procedure with penalties if issues arise.
He is also concerned about increased noise levels from the development and the absence of consultation or information sessions for residents living in the locality.
A decision is due on 15 March.
Plans have been submitted for a major new anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Ballynilard, Tipperary.
The project is being proposed by Nephin Renewable Gas, the company bidding to become Ireland’s largest AD developer. It is the fifth plant in their pipeline in Ireland, with plans for plants in Mayo, Wicklow and Cork.
They have partnered with local beef farmer Andrew Kiely, who is providing the 15ac site and will supply some of the feedstock.
The plant, located 2km west of Tipperary Town, will produce biomethane gas, which will be injected into the national gas grid located 300 m away.
The facility will include three anaerobic digesters, two digestate storage tanks, one liquid feed tank, and one fire water storage tank. In addition to biomethane, the plant will also produce captured CO2 and a bio-based fertiliser.
Feedstock
The plant will process approximately 90,000 tonnes per annum of organic feedstock, comprising a mix of agricultural manures and slurries, crop-based materials, and food and drinks production residues.
To date, 43 farmers have formally confirmed their agreement to supply feedstock and to receive bio-based fertiliser produced by the facility.
The proposed feedstock includes 7,500 tonnes of cattle slurry, 1,200 tonnes of cattle manure, 8,700 tonnes of pig slurry, 19,100 tonnes of poultry manure, 13,000 tonnes of food production residues, 9,000 tonnes of drinks production residues, 2,000 tonnes of dairy production residues, 2,000 tonnes of grass silage, and 27,500 tonnes of whole-crop silage.
The planning documents state that the agricultural manures, slurries, and crop-based feedstocks required for the plant will be sourced from agricultural operators located within the surrounding area.
To date, 43 farmers have formally confirmed their agreement to supply feedstock and to receive bio-based fertiliser produced by the facility.
Of the 43 confirmed participants, 92% (38) are located within 10 km of the site, and 100% (43) are located within 15 km.
Who is Andrew Kiely?
According to documents submitted to the council, Andrew Kiely is a local landowner and progressive farmer.
He owns and manages a farm located 160 m east of the site. The documents state that “the proposed development is fundamentally rooted in Mr Kiely’s active farm diversification strategy”.
“The applicant is transitioning from a traditional suckler enterprise to a beef finishing unit, with the proposed AD facility central to improving the holding’s sustainability and financial resilience.”
In this context, the development supports the long-term future of the farm as part of the applicant’s succession planning and the continued evolution of an established agricultural enterprise, the documents state.
Kiely will supply just under 10,000 tonnes per annum of slurry and surplus crops, which represents 100% of the manure generated on-farm.
Digestate
Similar to Nephin’s other proposals, the plant will treat the resulting digestate to recover 75% of the liquid digestate concentrate volume as clean water.
With an annual processing capacity of 90,000 tonnes of feedstock, approximately 78,000 tonnes of whole digestate are expected to be generated following anaerobic breakdown for energy recovery.
Following the screw press separation process, approximately 9,360 tonnes of solid digestate fibre will be recovered. The remaining liquid digestate will be treated within the digestate treatment unit, producing 44,600 tonnes of recovered clean water and 24,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich liquid digestate concentrate, to be stored in the digestate storage tank prior to offtake and delivery to DAFM-registered end users.
Objection
So far, the plans have received one objection from Michael Crowe, of Moinfheir Aravale, Tipperary Town.
He raised concerns regarding traffic and road safety, odour, noise, infrastructure capacity, and a lack of local consultation.
He said he is concerned that up to 50 truck visits per day (approximately 100 vehicle movements) and up to 700 additional truck or tractor journeys per week could pose road safety risks, lead to effluent spillages on public roads, and place pressure on existing road infrastructure.
Crowe also expressed concerns about potential odour impacts on residential amenity and is seeking guarantees on odour elimination, as well as a clear complaints procedure with penalties if issues arise.
He is also concerned about increased noise levels from the development and the absence of consultation or information sessions for residents living in the locality.
A decision is due on 15 March.
SHARING OPTIONS