©College Group / Minister McEntee with College Group directors
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Bio-waste management firm College Group has connected Ireland’s second biomethane production plant to the national gas network at Nobber, County Meath.
Helen McEntee, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said, “This is really important not only in terms of achieving our biomethane targets but meeting our climate goals and supporting local farmers … and important for our long-term security of supply.”
Around 25% of Ireland’s gas demand could be met by biomethane, added CEO David Kelly.
“What’s interesting about biomethane is it’s a real community effort,” he said. “The feedstock is typically brought from the local area, whether that’s agricultural or food waste – there’s a real viable opportunity for farmers here to create an income source.”
John Paul Gilroy, Commercial Director at College Group, said it will export 75 GW of biomethane per annum through its green connection agreement with Gas Networks Ireland.
He said it was more than an investment into a plant, as it will support the wider County Meath economy and Ireland’s renewable energy sector.
Last month in Huntstown, Co. Dublin became the first plant in Ireland to connect to the national gas network.
The plant is using short-dated and surplus packaged food from the retail and hospitality sectors, as well materials from agriculture and food production and converting these organic items into renewable biomethane.
Once operating at full capacity, the Huntstown plant is expected to deliver up to 120 gigawatt-hours of biomethane annually into the gas network.
In July, the Ireland government issued payments worth almost €19m ($22m) to seven projects under the biomethane capital grant scheme – and confirmed €200m ($232m) will support a second round of capital grants for anaerobic digestion plants through to 2030.
