Limerick biomethane could reduce carbon emissions by more than half a million tonnes a year
A NEW report has found that biomethane produced in Limerick could reduce carbon emissions by more than half a million tonnes a year
Limerick has the potential for a biomethane industry which would produce enough renewable gas to not only replace all of the natural gas consumed by the 28,000 homes and businesses in Limerick connected to the 603km of gas network in the county but would produce a surplus of the county’s gas needs and also reduce carbon emissions by over half a million tonnes annually.
Nationally, Ireland has the potential for a biomethane industry, which would replace more than a quarter of natural gas on the national network, create significant new agri-income streams and reduce Ireland’s total emissions by almost 4 million tonnes per year - 6.5% of Ireland’s total emissions1.
These are the main findings from the Biomethane Energy Report2, which was launched last week by Gas Networks Ireland, the operator of Ireland’s state-owned gas network, at the Irish Renewable Gas Conference.
Structurally identical to natural gas, biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas derived from organic sources such as landfill, food waste and agricultural waste.
Biomethane is fully compatible with the existing national gas network and existing appliances, technologies and vehicles. It seamlessly replaces natural gas to reduce emissions in heating, industry, transport.
The report is based on findings from responses to a market testing Request for Information (RFI) issued by Gas Networks Ireland to current and future biomethane producers in October 2022.
The report identifies 176 projects throughout Ireland that have the overall potential to produce 14.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of biomethane per annum, amounting to 26% of Ireland’s current gas demand.
The top five counties in terms of prospective biomethane production volumes were Cavan, Kildare, Limerick, Cork and Monaghan.
With 19 responses, the highest number of potential biomethane production projects and the third highest biomethane ambition in terms of volume are in Limerick.
Ireland’s biomethane potential as outlined in this report, both in terms of potential project numbers (176) and in terms of volume of biomethane production (14.8 TWh), demonstrates how achievable the Government’s target to produce up to 5.7 TWh of biomethane by 2030 is.
Gas Networks Ireland is confident that, with the right structures and policies put in place, the Government’s target can be achieved and possibly exceeded.