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The Future of Biomethane

The upcoming Ireland Biomethane – Pathway to 2030 conference, which is scheduled for June 12 in Croke Park, will see the topic of agri-feedstock-based biomethane production in Ireland brought to the fore

The event is organised by Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI) and will be the first formal stakeholder engagement opportunity following the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy. Both the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, will address the conference, alongside a range of panellists and presenters.

Opportunity

PJ McCarthy, CEO at RGFI, explains: “The conference marks a significant milestone in the progression of agri-feedstock-based  anaerobic digestion in the production of biomethane in Ireland. The event is timely in the context of the launch of the National Biomethane Strategy.

“With Ireland transitioning from conceptualisation to implementation, this event will be one of the first opportunities for all stakeholders, in particular farmers and the co-op sector, to engage on the implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy and roadmap. This new renewable gas industry will be farmer-centric and it is therefore important that farmers and their co-operatives input to the Roadmap at this vital stage in development. There will be a number of practical ‘mini-Masters’ in the afternoon, which will enable delegates to delve into key areas such as sustainability, finance and funding, planning, and licensing and permitting, as well as technology and operations.”

Renewable Gas Forum Ireland

Established in 2014, RGFI is a not-for-profit forum dedicated to fostering the growth of a sustainable biomethane industry in Ireland. As a proactive member of the European Biogas Association (EBA), the European Renewable Gas Registry (ERGaR), and the Biomethane Industry Partnership (BIP), RGFI plays a pivotal role in guiding strategic approaches across Europe.

Stakeholders

RGFI is collaborating with Northern Ireland’s Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, and colleagues across Northern Ireland to ensure that this event is inclusive and impactful.  
“We also welcome the involvement of the Biomethane Industrial Partnership (BIP) and the European Biogas Association (EBA), underscoring the broad European interest.
This is an opportunity to mobilise all stakeholders to provide input into the roll-out of the National Biomethane Strategy,” PJ said.

Confirmed panellists, presenters and rapporteurs

  • Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.               
  • Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan.
  • KPMG Sustainable Futures, Russell Smyth and Philip Connolly.
  • European Biogas Association, Harmen Dekker.
  • Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Jonathan McFerran. 
  • Teagasc, Dr Paul Crosson and Dr Ciara Beausang.
  • Gas Networks Ireland, Padraig Fleming.
  • Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Denis Drennan.
  • Nephin Energy, Tom O’Brien.
  • Flogas, Eoin Brennan.
  • Entrust, Kieran Tarpey.
  • Future Biogas, Philipp Lukas.
  • Dairy Processing Technology Centre, Anne Marie Henihan.
  • Climeaction, Paul Murphy.
  • Damien O’Reilly, ICOS (chair of the event).
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