According to the CEO of Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI), “farmers are central” to the emerging agri-feedstock based anaerobic digestion (AD) biomethane sector in Ireland.
PJ McCarthy spoke out in advance of the National Biomethane Conference which will take place in Croke Park on June 12.
“While AD biomethane offers additional market opportunities for farmers who want to supply feedstock, it also offers bio-economy opportunities, such as bio-fertilisers and biogenic CO2 for use in a variety of industries, including the food and beverage sector,” the CEO added.
The event is very timely as the National Biomethane Strategy is to be published shortly by the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department for Environment, Climate, and Communications.
Biomethane development
In anticipation of the announcement of the Strategy, RGFI as an industry forum representing its members, is urging Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister Eamon Ryan to ensure that the government enables and supports the level of scale and development required to achieve the delivery of 5.7TWh of indigenously produced sustainable biomethane by 2030.
“We are looking forward to working with government to ensure a sustainable and resilient biomethane and circular bio-economy industry is developed, however, to deliver a meaningful farmer centric industry, requires comprehensive guidance and support structures, along with relevant incentives.
RGFI members have identified four basic requirements essential to achieving this:
- Funding – 50% capital funding is required;
- Renewable heat obligation and an operational support , feed in tariff or green premium to support biomethane production, providing investor certainty;
- Low cost finance – high interest rates impact on cost of production.
- A clear framework addressing regulation, planning, and approvals.
Ireland’s national food strategy targets the emergence of Ireland as a leader in sustainable food systems. The reality is that to achieve this, our indigenous agri-food companies need competitive and sustainable solutions.
As our largest indigenous manufacturing and processing industries, which operates on relatively low margins, but has high thermal demand this difficult-to-decarbonise, sector , must be able to compete and secure biomethane on the open global market.
The Biomethane Conference on June 12 will be important for all stakeholders in the value chain to navigate the transition from vision to action, focusing on vital areas such as Finance & Funding, Planning, Licensing and Permitting, Technology, and Sustainability.
Speakers include representatives from Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the European Biogas Association (EBA), as well as influential figures such as Ministers McConalogue and Ryan, farmers and their farm leaders; Dr. Paul Crossan and Dr. Ciara Beausang of Teagasc; Tom Arnold, Chair, Food Vision 2030 Strategy Committee – as well as industry innovators Nephin Energy, BioCore, Future Biogas and the Dairy Processing Technology Centre.
RGFI has worked with KPMG since 2019, producing An Integrated Business Case for Biomethane in Ireland, which laid the foundation for government confidence in the value and feasibility of biomethane production to decarbonise industry thermal processes.
KPMG has also supported RGFI’s work on agri-food industry collaboration through Project Clover.
This work and the united voice provided by RGFI for the whole biomethane industry has brought biomethane to the fore as a central part of Ireland’s decarbonisation effort, as well as supporting the circular bioeconomy and adding to Ireland’s future energy security.
The national target of 5.7TWh biomethane production by 2030 will require the construction of 150-200 large scale AD biomethane plants, and some are already through the planning process.
Circular bio – economy
Biomethane can also be used in the transport sector as Bio Compressed Natural Gas (BIO CNG).
There are already trucks running on CNG and recently a biomethane tractor has been launched in Ireland.
The real future potential for the Irish food sector however, is in the potential to develop bio products and create a sustainable, circular bio-economy.
“The opportunity does not stop at biomethane production as there is growing realisation that the co-products of digestate, fertiliser and biogenic CO2 have a strong role to play in valorisation and the demand for both co-products is high from industry consumers,” said McCarthy.
Economic and environmental sustainability
Clearly, the financial returns to the farmer will have an important bearing on the acceptability of producing grass for AD biomethane.
“In our submission to the Draft National Biomethane Strategy, RGFI emphasised the importance of economic as well as environmental sustainability for farmers and the full supply chain.
“As the country begins to build an AD biomethane industry of scale, we look forward to working with government, key stakeholders and our members on a phased approach to ensuring the development of a sustainable, agri-feedstock based, indigenous renewable energy sector,” McCarthy said.
For registration:
‘Ireland Biomethane – pathway to 2030’, June 12, Croke Park, Dublin.
