Plans underway for new renewable biomethane facility in Ardee

Plans are underway for a renewable biomethane facility to produce renewable energy and organic fertiliser in Ardee.

Strategic Power Limited has applied to Louth County Council for planning permission for a renewable biomethane facility on a c 2.75 hectare site at Oberstown, Ardee. Biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas made from farm & food waste. The process is known as anaerobic digestion.  

The applicant is seeking planning for an Anaerobic Digestion plant that would include the extension of internal farm yards, circulation areas and parking; a renewable gas injection unit; a feedstock reception hall; a boiler and plant room; a weighbridge cabin and laboratory; and a weighbridge.

It also provides for two primary digester tanks; one secondary digester tank; two liquid digestate storage tanks; one water storage tank; two manure reception tanks and one buffer tank. Other items include, flare; pump room; tank bund wall; solid digestate store; pasteurisation unit; gas upgrade unit and gas entry unit; three LPG tanks; and three covered silage clamps.

Permission is being sought under Section 41 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) for 10 years and the application is in respect of a development that is for the purpose of an activity requiring an Industrial Emissions Licence from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The applicant says that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and a Natura Impact Statement will accompany the planning application.

A decision is due on the application, which is at a pre-validation stage, by 15 August, with submissions due by 25 July.