Minister McConalogue said: “When I launched the National Biomethane Strategy in May of this year, I also announced that I had secured €40 million in funding to kick-start the biomethane sector in Ireland. I immediately opened an expression of interest for the scheme and the sector have responded, confirming both a strong demand and a readiness to invest.
I am delighted to announce applications have now opened for this scheme and will remain open until the 30th of August 2024. Successful applicants that meet the scheme eligibility and selection criteria are in line to receive a grant aid of 20% of investment up to a maximum of €5 million. The publication of the National Biomethane strategy has created great enthusiasm within the sector. I plan on keeping this positive momentum going with the opening of this capital support scheme”.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, through the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform secured €40 million in funding, intended to help support the initial development of biomethane in Ireland. The Government approved the inclusion of a biomethane section, upscaling a biomethane industry in Ireland, within Ireland’s REPowerEU chapter. The chapter sets out that DAFM is to receive funding of €40 million for a capital grant scheme for biomethane production plants.
An expression of interest portal was opened on the 28th of May 2024 and closed on the 12th of July 2024. Within this timeframe 46 applicants declared an expression of interest in the scheme. Applications for the scheme must be submitted to
Key criteria for the scheme include:
- Projects must be in receipt of fully approved planning permission by the 13th September 2024.
- Approved projects must be completed and the claim for payment submitted to the SEAI no later than 31/12/2025.
20% of total capital investment costs per applicant will be payable subject to a maximum level of funding of €5 million per project.