The Irish Government’s planned Biomethane Strategy has the potential to displace fossil gas in many hard-to-decarbonise sectors and play a significant role in the decarbonisation of Ireland’s agriculture sector.
The corresponding increase in anaerobic digestion and digestate production can boost soil health and reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilisers.
Ireland currently has one of the lowest levels of biogas production and biomethane deployment in Europe, with a few tens of biogas plants currently in operation, and just three plants focused on the production of biomethane. However, the country’s potential is huge.
The European Commission has identified Ireland as the country in the EU with the highest potential per capita for biomethane development, and Gas Network Ireland (GNI) has shown that 176 prospective producers have an interest in developing projects in Ireland, with an overall potential to produce 14.8TWh of biomethane each year.
The Irish Biomethane Strategy has a strong focus on the benefits for the agricultural sector, including providing farmers with options for the diversification of activities and revenue streams, and a...
Irish plans to displace fossil gas
