New Kildare plant signs deal to supply national gas network

Gas Networks Ireland has signed an agreement with Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises to connect a new €50 million biomethane production plant in Monasterevin, Co Kildare directly to the national gas network. 

This landmark anaerobic digestion facility will convert by products from Ireland’s distilling industry, such as spent grains and other residues, into renewable biomethane gas supporting Ireland’s National Biomethane Strategy.

Once operational, Evergreen’s facility, which is currently under construction, will process up to 100,000 tonnes of distilling byproducts annually, converting them into biomethane, a renewable gas that will be injected directly into the national gas network. 

The plant will produce up to 100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable biomethane each year — enough to heat more than 8,000 Irish homes — and is expected to cut Ireland’s carbon dioxide emissions by almost 18,500 tonnes annually.

Biomethane gas is fully compatible with Ireland’s existing national gas network and all existing appliances, technologies and vehicles that currently use gas. Biomethane seamlessly replaces natural gas to reduce emissions in heating, industry, transport and power generation. 

Structurally identical to natural gas, biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas that can be produced from farm and food waste through a process known as anaerobic digestion. The gas is captured during the controlled decomposition – or anaerobic digestion – of these materials.

Evergreen is one of a number of projects which were approved to benefit from the Government’s €40 million National Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The scheme is designed to accelerate the rollout of biomethane production across Ireland in line with the National Biomethane Strategy and the State’s ambition to produce 5.7 terawatt hours (TWh) of indigenous biomethane by 2030.

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In addition to producing biomethane, Evergreen’s facility will feature an on-site greenhouse that uses recovered heat and liquid biofertiliser from the anaerobic digestion process to grow vegetables for donation to the local community — demonstrating the circular economy benefits of biomethane production in supporting both environmental and social goals.

Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Business Development, Karen Doyle said:

“Replacing natural gas with biomethane is a vital step in decarbonising Ireland’s energy system. Biomethane is a proven, scalable solution that can immediately reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry, transport and heating.

We’re proud to partner with Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises on this important project, which not only supports Ireland’s climate and renewable energy targets but also strengthens our energy security by reducing reliance on imported fuels.

As Ireland’s renewable gas sector accelerates, projects like this one in Monasterevin highlight the enormous potential of biomethane to deliver clean energy, rural jobs and sustainable growth. Gas Networks Ireland will continue to support projects like this that play a critical role in delivering clean, renewable energy across the country.”

Patrick Meade, Director, Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises, said:

“This project represents a major investment in the sustainable management of byproducts and renewable energy. By transforming spent grains and agricultural residues into clean, renewable gas, we’re closing the loop and creating real value for the local community.

Our integrated greenhouse will showcase the full potential of anaerobic digestion — not just as a source of renewable energy, but as a driver of innovation, food security and environmental stewardship.

We’re delighted to work with Gas Networks Ireland to bring this vision to life and to play a part in building Ireland’s low-carbon energy future.”

Evergreen’s Monasterevin facility is visible from the M7 motorway and will create up to 75 direct and indirect local jobs during construction and operation, with potential for further expansion.  It is expected to play a key role in showcasing Ireland’s growing renewable gas sector and provide a sustainable outlet for commercial byproducts from the distilling sector. 

Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises is owned by Patrick Meade and Katarzyna Kubizna through the holding company Evergreen K&P Holdings.   

The agreement underlines Gas Networks Ireland’s ongoing commitment to working with Ireland’s emerging biomethane producers to deliver cleaner, more secure and more sustainable energy for the country. Evergreen is the sixth biomethane production plant to be contracted to connect to the national gas network in the last 2 years with further contracts currently at an advanced stage of discussion.