Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) has connected its first biomethane producer that will supply the renewable fuel directly to the State company’s system.
GNI this week connected Bia Energy’s €90 million biomethane production plant at Huntstown, Co Dublin, to the State group’s network, it confirmed in a statement.
Biomethane is a green fuel made from farm and food waste that can replace natural gas in heating, power generation and industry, cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
Bia Energy’s Huntstown plant will be the first to connect to GNI’s network directly.
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According to the State company, it will supply enough of the renewable gas to generate 120 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity every year. Average daily consumption in the Republic was 90GWh last year.
GNI has connection agreements with six other biomethane producers along with Bia Energy, the company confirmed.
Bia Energy invested €90 million in the Dublin plant and received almost €3.9 million from the Government’s National Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme.
It processes surplus packaged food from shops and hospitality businesses, along with waste from farming and food production, to produce biomethane gas. The process, known as anaerobic digestion, leaves a byproduct that is used as fertiliser.
This can replace chemical fertilisers, whose production consumes large quantities of energy.
Gas is a critical fuel in the Republic as it is used to generate about half of its electricity needs, as well as being widely used by industry.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said the Bia Energy plant connection was a “significant step forward” in developing an Irish renewable gas industry.
“It demonstrates how agricultural and organic waste can be converted into a valuable renewable energy source, reducing emissions and enhancing energy security,” said the Minister.
GNI head of business development Karen Doyle confirmed that the company had connection agreements with seven biomethane producers.
Those plants will play key roles in boosting home-grown energy and hitting the State’s target of using methane to meet 10 per cent of gas demand by 2030.
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Renewable biomethane provides “an immediate and practical decarbonisation solution for energy users”, allowing businesses to cut emissions while continuing to use their existing gas infrastructure and equipment.
Bia Energy chief executive Brendan Traynor agreed that the move was significant for the renewable gas industry. “Biomethane will play an important role in Ireland’s energy future,” he predicted.
He noted that it would make energy supplies more secure, cut carbon emissions and reduce chemical fertiliser use in farming.
“Our Dublin facility alone will help replace about 3,000 tonnes of chemical fertiliser every year,” he added.
Bia Energy is part of the Sretaw group, founded by businessman Eamon Waters to invest in public and private equity and property.
