The strategy is described by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) as agri-led and farmer-centric with a focus on the supply of suitable feedstocks in addition to maximisation of the use of organic waste streams from farms and communities.
The Government has sought €40m in capital funding under Ireland’s application for REPowerEU funding to kickstart the development of a biomethane industry.
The primary objective of the National Biomethane Strategy is to support delivery of up to 5.7 Tera Watt Hour (TWh) of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030, as set by the Government as part of its Climate Action Plan. This target is equivalent to 10 per cent of current usage of fossil gas, however this will rise to over 50 per cent of our usage by the mid 2030s as we shift from gas in favour of electrification.
Farmers will be ‘central to production of this renewable source of energy’ and will be ‘major players’ in the decarbonisation of our energy system according to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConologue. He said the strategy also aligns with the priorities in agriculture to marry food production, renewable energy, and reducing emissions.
“From an agricultural perspective, clear benefits in terms of contributing to deliver 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.”
An integral part of the strategy is sustainable production and an early action for delivery will be the development of a Biomethane Sustainability Charter. This charter will support an agri-led biomethane industry, while having regard for established goals for the protection and restoration of water, soil, biodiversity, and ecosystem services and protect against any unintended negative consequences.
A newly formed Interdepartmental Biomethane Implementation Group will oversee implementation of the strategy, measuring its impact and monitoring target delivery. The implementation group will report to the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce.