120,000ha and 1.3m cows required to meet new National Biomethane Strategy goals

The strategy, which was published on Tuesday, marks Ireland’s first major policy statement on biomethane and is an important milestone in the development of an indigenous sector.

Its primary goal is to deliver the ambitious target of up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030, which was set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.

What's necessary to deliver this target?

However, in order to do so, Teagasc estimates that — at a national level — a total land area of 120,000ha (around the size of Monaghan) will be needed to produce the silage to feed the anaerobic digestion biomethane plants required to reach the 5.7 TWh target.

Slurry from 1.3m cattle will also be required to meet the 2030 target, which represents approximately 20% of all winter cattle slurry produced in Ireland

Launching the strategy, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said farmers would be “central” to the production of this renewable source of energy.

“Thereby, [they will be] major players in the decarbonisation of our energy system through the development of a sustainable biomethane industry. This aligns with the priorities in agriculture to marry food production, renewable energy, and reducing emissions,” he said.

“From an agricultural perspective, clear benefits in terms of contributing to delivering renewable energy targets and providing alternative land use options for farmers have been identified through the research and consultation undertaken in compiling this strategy.

“Alongside opportunities for farm income and land use diversification options for farmers, the anaerobic industry also represents a pathway for farmers to reduce fertiliser usage through the increased availability of digestate, which will also have positive climate change implications.”

What is biogas?

Biogas is produced as the main product of the anaerobic digestion of biological feedstocks — including food waste, sewage sludge, and agricultural feedstocks.

The anaerobic digestion process produces biogas from feedstocks by decomposing organic material by microorganisms in large oxygen-free tanks. The resulting biogas is typically comprised of 60% methane and 40% CO2.

Biogas can be upgraded to sustainable biomethane to replace fossil gas.

When biogas is upgraded to methane with greater than 97% purity, it is termed biomethane.

Biomethane is fully compatible with the national gas network and existing appliances, technologies, and vehicles, and — if it meets certain criteria — can be classified as “a zero-carbon rated fuel”.

However, the approach has also been controversial as plants require vast quantities of feedstocks, often including forage, such as grass silage.

'Much-needed certainty'

PJ McCarthy, the chief executive of the Renewable Gas Forum Ireland — an industry-led organisation which is made up of anaerobic digestion developers and technology providers, utility companies, farmers, and end users of biomethane — said the announcement of funding and commitment to introduce an obligation on energy providers to buy the renewable gas will provide much-needed certainty for its members.

Mr McCarthy welcomed the inclusion of other non-financial supports such as non-contestable gas grid connections, the anaerobic digestion charter to guide sustainability, and the establishment of a communications strategy and hub to socialise the socio-economic benefits of biomethane.

“The initial €40m being provided in capital grants will kick start the development of around 10 40GWh anaerobic digestion plants within the next 18 months. While a modest beginning, this is a crucial first step. We look forward to working through the detail with Government on behalf of our members, who range from farmers to large-scale energy users.

“[We] welcome the Government’s commitment to operate the Renewable Heat Obligation scheme from 2024, and to provide further capital funding in the budget.

“Saying this, there must be adequate support for the construction of up to 130 more median-sized biomethane production units.”

Logistical issues

However, Irish Farmers’ Association president Francie Gorman said the strategy did not go far enough to meet the targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2024.

“The Government has a target of trying to produce 5.7 TWhs of biomethane through the construction of 200 anaerobic digestion plants by 2030. If the Government is serious about this, it will require a lot more funding than €40m," Mr Gorman said. 

"Countries such as Denmark have successfully developed a biomethane sector, but they committed multiples of this figure in funding.

“There are also other logistical issues that need to be ironed out, including the classification of the by-products such as digestate.

“Overall, there is certainly potential to develop an indigenous anaerobic digestion industry in Ireland, but the discussion needs to be much more inclusive of farmers, or there is a real danger that it will become the preserve of big business,” he said.