What if Irish farmers could boost their finances while working with what they already have in abundance on farm?

Materials such as silage and feedstocks, as well as by-products like slurry, could soon offer farmers a sustainable income stream – one that can also help them cut their emissions.

Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) is currently developing the infrastructure to connect the biomethane plants that will convert these farmyard materials into a much-needed source of renewable energy – biomethane.

This comes as the government aims to deliver 5.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) of indigenous biomethane annually by 2030 under its National Biomethane Strategy.

This would be approximately 10% of current national gas demand – equivalent to powering half a million homes.

And most of the feedstock to fuel this new sector will largely come from Irish farms.

What is biomethane?

Biomethane is a renewable gas derived from agri-food and industrial waste produced via anaerobic digestion (AD).

It is fully compatible with existing appliances and technology and can be injected into the gas network or liquefied to produce renewable fuel for road and maritime transport.

In addition, the AD process produces digestate, a nutrient-rich and renewable alternative to synthetic fertilisers that helps to improve soil health and reduce the carbon intensity of farms.

Gas Networks Ireland first introduced domestically produced biomethane to Ireland’s gas network more than five years ago.

L-r: Bia Energy CEO Brendan Traynor; Minister Martin Heydon; and Gas Networks Ireland’s Karen Doyle. Source: Shane O’Neill, Coalesce

In August of this year, it connected the first biomethane plant to the national network, through the Bia Energy facility at Huntstown, Co. Dublin.

The Bia Energy plant uses materials from agriculture and food production, as well as short-dated and surplus packaged food from the retail and hospitality sectors, converting these organic items into renewable biomethane.

In the same month, College Group’s new facility in Nobber, Co. Meath became the second biomethane plant to connect, demonstrating the growing momentum behind Ireland’s indigenous renewable gas sector.

Using food and agri-food by-products to produce renewable biomethane, the Nobber facility also showcases the circular economy in action by supporting both gas network injection and the company’s own operations and bioCNG vehicle fleet.

Gas Networks Ireland has entered agreements with seven biomethane producers, including Bia Energy, to facilitate further such connections to the national gas network.

Farmers at the heart of the transition

However, many of Ireland’s biomethane plants will only be viable if they receive a reliable supply of feedstock from Irish farms.

As the primary source of materials such as slurry, silage, and other agricultural feedstocks, farmers will play a central role in helping to establish a successful biomethane industry and support Ireland’s transition to renewable energy.

Alongside contributing to a more sustainable energy future, biomethane could offer a range of potential benefits for farmers and the wider agricultural sector:

New income streams from supplying feedstock;
Diversification into energy crops and sustainable waste management;
Improved soil health by using digestate as a fertiliser alternative;
Reduced carbon footprint on farms.

Across Europe, farmers are already helping to drive successful biomethane industries.

With the right support and collaboration, Ireland has a similar opportunity to develop a homegrown renewable gas sector that can support farm incomes, strengthen energy security and contribute to national climate ambitions.

Key biomethane projects

Alongside the Bia Energy connection, Gas Networks Ireland has already made significant progress on several other key biomethane projects so far this year.

One initiative sees the Malting Company of Ireland use biomethane in the malting process at its Co. Cork facility, with the resulting malt then supplied to Ahascragh Distillery for use in whiskey production.

By reducing emissions at a key stage of the supply chain, the project highlights how biomethane can support more sustainable food and drink production.

John Paul Gilroy, commercial director, College Group; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee; David Kelly, chief executive officer, Gas Networks Ireland. Source: Fintan Clarke from Coalesce

Also in Co. Cork, Gas Networks Ireland is building Ireland’s first central grid injection (CGI) facility in Mitchelstown.

This facility acts as a connection point to the national gas network, enabling biomethane that has been produced at separate anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to be injected into the gas grid.

This is essential infrastructure that will enable biomethane producers in more remote locations to participate in the renewable gas sector.

When operating at full capacity, the CGI will have the potential to inject 700GWh of biomethane a year, meeting 12% of the government’s 2030 national target.

Rural connections

In addition, Ireland’s energy and water economic utility regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), has approved an interim solution for reverse grid compression, a technology that lets biomethane flow from low-pressure local networks into the main transmission system.

This will remove a major constraint for rural anaerobic digestion plants, potentially unlocking 437GWh of extra injection capacity – around 7.5% of the national 2030 biomethane target.

The CRU also published a new policy on connecting biomethane producers to the gas network, covering both standard connections and central grid injection facilities.

Key changes – aimed at helping smaller and rural biomethane producers participate – include shared connection costs, revised financial security requirements, and formal support for CGI facilities.

Agricultural emissions

The agricultural industry remains the largest contributor to Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the sector responsible for 38.7% of all emissions last year.

Biomethane can help reduce farm carbon emissions and support the agricultural sector in reaching its 2030 target reduction of 25% compared to 2018.

With the right mix of government policy, infrastructure and farmer participation, it can deliver real and lasting benefits for both the agricultural sector and rural Ireland.

Gas Networks Ireland is committed to working hand-in-hand with farmers and rural communities to develop this new industry.

With collaboration at its core, biomethane has the potential to become a cornerstone of Ireland’s clean energy system – while ensuring that Irish farmers are at the very heart of the journey towards net zero.

Gas Networks Ireland at the National Ploughing Championships

Gas Networks Ireland will attend the 2026 National Ploughing Championships, where farmers can learn more about biomethane, Ireland’s developing renewable gas industry and the infrastructure being put in place to connect producers to the national gas network.

Visit Stand 153, Row 8, Block 4 and discover how Gas Networks Ireland is moving Ireland’s energy.

Gas Networks Ireland’s stand will bring the future of energy to life:

Moving Ireland’s Energy Showcase – a dedicated zone showing how biomethane will help Ireland meet its climate targets, while creating new revenue streams for farmers.
A biomethane LEGO Brick experience will be on display across the three days.
Family Zone – including a sandpit and child-friendly tattoo designs to keep younger visitors entertained while reinforcing the Dial Before you Dig safety message.
Competitions and prizes – visitors can take part in a treasure-hunt quiz across the stand and be in with a chance to win prizes.
Temporary Tattoo parlour – visitors can get a temporary ‘Dial Before You Dig’ tattoo.

Visit our website to learn more about how Gas Networks Ireland is working to gradually replace natural gas with renewable biomethane

Alan O'ReillY

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