Agri-waste-fuelled Meath biomethane plant connects to gas network
A €30 million facility in Nobber, Co. Meath that converts agri-food waste into biomethane is now connected to Ireland’s national gas network.
The company produces renewable gas from food waste and other organic materials, using a portion of that biomethane to both power its own facility and fuel its newly acquired bioCNG vehicles.
The anaerobic digestion process that creates the biomethane also creates a nutrient-rich biofertiliser known as digestate, which can be used to replace chemical fertilisers and recycle nutrients back into the food production system.
College Group’s plant is the second major biomethane producer Gas Networks Ireland has connected directly to the gas network this month (August).
The biomethane produced at the facility will increase the amount of renewable gas on the network.
Renewable energy
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee said: “It is fantastic to see a business from my own constituency at the forefront of Ireland’s transition to renewable energy.
“This facility is a great example of the circular economy in action, taking food and agri-food by-products and transforming them into a valuable source of renewable energy.
“It is also an important investment in the local economy, supporting jobs and demonstrating that the transition to a lower-carbon economy can deliver real opportunities for communities across Ireland.”
The minister added that these kinds of projects play an important role in Ireland’s energy security.
She said: “Producing more of our own renewable energy here in Ireland from resources generated within our own economy, means greater resilience and less reliance on imported energy.”
Production capacity
The facility, which received support through a government capital grant of €2.4 million, has an annual production capacity of up to 75 gigawatt hours (GWh) of biomethane. David Kelly, CEO, Gas Networks Ireland, said: “This is the second biomethane facility to connect directly to the national gas network this month and is a powerful signal of the momentum now building behind Ireland’s biomethane industry.
“What makes College Group particularly significant is the circularity of their energy model of converting waste to gas to fuel their facility, as well as entering the national network.
“This is important not just because of the volume of gas being produced at this facility, but because of what it represents for the wider market."
He added that the connection of another producer demonstrates that Ireland has the capability to develop, connect and utilise indigenous renewable gas "at scale".
Milestone
Commercial director of College Group, John Paul Gilroy, said: “This is a hugely significant milestone for College Group and for our business in Nobber.
"We have been operating here for more than 35 years and have always looked at ways of creating value from what would otherwise be considered a waste stream.
“The plant is also the newest addition to our circular economy park here in Nobber."
Across the site, waste products are transformed into renewable fuels and energy – together delivering close to 200,000t of CO2 savings every year.
College Group has an offtake agreement in place with Flogas for biomethane to be used as BioCNG to fuel heavy goods vehicles, providing a lower carbon alternative to diesel and supporting the decarbonisation of the transport sector. College Group, which has been operating since 1989, now employs more than 150 people.
Biomethane sector
Gas Networks Ireland is working to facilitate and assist the expansion of Ireland’s biomethane sector and has connection agreements with seven producers.
Together these seven contracted producers represent almost 13% of the state’s target of having 5.7 terawatt hours (TWh) of biomethane production by 2030.Structurally identical to natural gas, biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas that is fully compatible with the existing national gas network.
It can be used to seamlessly replace natural gas to reduce emissions in heating, industry, transport, and power generation.
