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Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), the pan-European and Middle East developer and operator of hyperscale cloud and AI data centres, claims to have completed Europe’s first large-scale cross-border biomethane purchase for a data centre, transferring 9GWh of certified German biomethane to the Irish gas network.
The transaction is a 9,000-fold increase on its proof of concept (PoC), announced in March 2026, and demonstrates that gas connected data centres can now be decarbonised at operational scale.
The consignment was produced in 2025 at certified facilities in Germany using waste and residue feedstocks.
The biomethane is unsubsidised, independently certified under the ISCC scheme, and compliant with Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II and RED III. It carries a carbon intensity of less than 12 gCO₂/MJ, within the thresholds required for zero-rated treatment under the EU ETS, subject to EPA monitoring plan approval.
The deal uses traceable Guarantees of Origin (GOs) that are formally retired in the GNI system, giving corporate clients verifiable proof of zero-carbon operations.
Such transactions require coordination across producers, brokers, shippers, and regulators spanning multiple jurisdictions. Pure DC said the collaborative model “highlights the value of an integrated approach” across Ireland’s regulatory infrastructure including the Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) Renewable Gas Registry, the EPA’s alignment of EU ETS monitoring with RED criteria, and the CRU’s supervisory framework.
Maria Jose Rivas Duarte, Director of Sustainability, Pure DC, said, “By demonstrating that cross-border biomethane can be procured, mass balanced, and registered at volume through existing infrastructure, we are helping to pave the way for broader data centre sector adoption as well as other industries seeking a credible route to decarbonise natural gas.”
Renewable gas is a transitional measure, forming part of Pure DC’s strategy to achieve net-zero by 2040. The company continues to progress Irish biomethane purchases alongside EU and UK imports, while advancing longer-term strategies including local renewable energy integration, energy storage, and efficiency measures.
The associated certificates have been approved by GNI and are scheduled for cancellation in 2026, formally retiring the green attribute to ensure exclusive use and prevent double counting.
While Irish production remains in development, EU imports facilitated by established infrastructure and the GNI registry bridge the gap and stimulate local investment. RED-compliant biomethane qualifies as zero-rated fuel for EU ETS operators, reducing allowance requirements and limiting carbon price exposure.
For Pure DC, this transaction represents a deliberate step towards a balanced and resilient biomethane portfolio, combining Irish biomethane, EU imports, and UK-sourced supply to ensure diversification across geographies, feedstock types, and contract structures.
Agnes Warner, Property Director, Pure DC said its biomethane procurement strategy is designed to build a balanced portfolio that provides long-term security and credibility.
“For our customers, this means a demonstrable, auditable pathway to lower embedded emissions – making our platform more attractive to hyperscalers and enterprise customers while supporting their sustainability commitments.”
The broader significance is Ireland’s grid is heavily constrained, leading to severe delays or outright halts on new data centre grid connections.
The deal establishes a viable pathway to fuel off-grid facilities using a cleaner “behind-the-meter” generation mode.
The deal highlights a growing policy debate in Ireland over the balance between imported and domestically produced biomethane.
The European Commission earlier this year rejected a proposed support mechanism designed to favour Irish production, forcing Ireland to reconsider how it incentivises new biomethane projects.
It also demonstrates the type of integrated European biomethane market that the Commission’s ruling seeks to protect, allowing renewable gas produced in one member state to be traded and used in another.
Ireland’s multi-million-euro biomethane rollout is set to be potentially reshaped after the European Commission issued a in its Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) scheme.
The mechanism is a domestic biomethane multiplier, which would have allowed one unit of Irish-produced biomethane to equal 1.5 units toward compliance.
Ireland’s National Biomethane Strategy aims to produce 5.7 TWh of domestic biomethane by 2030.
