Gas Networks Ireland has agreed a deal with Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises to connect a new €50m biomethane production plant in Monasterevin, Co Kildare directly to the national gas network.
The new anaerobic digestion facility will convert byproducts from the country's distilling industry, such as spent grains, into renewable biomethane gas supporting Ireland's National Biomethane Strategy.
Once operational, Evergreen's facility, which is currently under construction, will process up to 100,000 tonnes of distilling byproducts annually, converting them into biomethane, a renewable gas that will be injected directly into the national gas network.
The new plant will produce up to 100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable biomethane a year, which is enough to heat more than 8,000 homes, and is expected to cut the country's carbon dioxide emissions by almost 18,500 tonnes a year.
Biomethane seamlessly replaces natural gas to reduce emissions in heating, industry, transport and power generation.
Structurally identical to natural gas, biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas that can be produced from farm and food waste through a process known as anaerobic digestion. The gas is captured during the controlled decomposition, or anaerobic digestion, of these materials.
Evergreen's Monasterevin facility will create up to 75 direct and indirect local jobs during construction and operation, with potential for further expansion.
Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises is owned by Patrick Meade and Katarzyna Kubizna through the holding company Evergreen K&P Holdings.
"This project represents a major investment in the sustainable management of byproducts and renewable energy. By transforming spent grains and agricultural residues into clean, renewable gas, we're closing the loop and creating real value for the local community," Patrick Meade, Director, Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises, said.
"Our integrated greenhouse will showcase the full potential of anaerobic digestion, not just as a source of renewable energy, but as a driver of innovation, food security and environmental stewardship," he added.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Business Development, Karen Doyle said that replacing natural gas with biomethane is a vital step in decarbonising Ireland’s energy system.
"Biomethane is a proven, scalable solution that can immediately reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry, transport and heating," she said.
"As Ireland’s renewable gas sector accelerates, projects like this one in Monasterevin highlight the enormous potential of biomethane to deliver clean energy, rural jobs and sustainable growth. Gas Networks Ireland will continue to support projects like this that play a critical role in delivering clean, renewable energy across the country," she added.
