Proposed north Tipperary biogas plant sparks local concerns amid Ireland’s renewable push

More than 200 people gathered in Toomevara on Thursday, October 30, to discuss plans for a major biogas development in north Tipperary. The public meeting, held in the village’s parish hall, was organised by former Irish Farmers’ Association president Tim Cullinan, who is leading the project.

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The proposed facility, planned outside Ballymackey village, is expected to process 200,000 tonnes of byproducts from the local area, converting them into renewable energy. Biogas plants work through anaerobic digestion, where organic waste is broken down by microbes in oxygen-free tanks to produce biogas, primarily methane. This can be used for heating or converted into biomethane for injection into the gas network.

Digestate byproducts can also be used as fertiliser, creating a circular economy benefit. In Ireland, such facilities must comply with Environmental Protection Agency guidelines on emissions, waste management, and water protection. European frameworks emphasise minimising odours, controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring safe and sustainable operation.

Mr Cullinan, a pig farmer in Toomevara for 45 years, said the facility would generate enough gas to heat up to 9,000 homes locally. While planning permission has not yet been lodged, he added: “At this point, we are at the first stage with An Coimisiún Pleanála.”

Residents, local businesses, community groups, and elected representatives filled the hall to hear details of the proposal and raise questions. Members of the Ballymackey Biogas Concern Group voiced opposition to what they described as the “sheer scale and location” of the planned plant.

The group’s chairperson, Henry Mooney, said the development would make it one of the largest such facilities in the country. While supporting renewable energy, he argued that the proposal “raises serious concerns that are not adequately addressed by current regulations,” citing worries about the enforcement powers of the EPA.

Traffic and infrastructure were among the most prominent issues raised. Attendees argued that the local road network is too narrow to accommodate the heavy-goods traffic associated with the project. Concerns were also expressed about possible effects on groundwater and the nearby River Ollatrim.

Labour TD Alan Kelly, who attended the meeting, said the Government has yet to publish a clear national framework for the use of biomethane. He argued that planning guidelines should be established before any biogas projects are approved.

In a statement after the meeting, the Ballymackey Biogas Concern Group highlighted strong local opposition. “With over 200 people in attendance, last Thursday night’s meeting clearly showed that the local community, as well as the politicians in attendance including Deputies Alan Kelly, Michael Lowry and Ryan O’Meara, were overwhelmingly in agreement that Ballymackey is the wrong location for an industrial-scale biogas plant.”

Independent TD Michael Lowry acknowledged the principle of the proposal but criticised the location. “In principle, Tim, your proposal is right, but the location is wrong,” he said, adding that he would make a submission on behalf of the Lowry Team to reflect the views expressed at the meeting.

Residents raised concerns regarding traffic projections presented by the developer. Consultants suggested the site would see only 21 HGVs per day, five days a week. Community members argued this underestimated the number of vehicles required.

Attendees also expressed dismay over impacts on local life, including traffic, odours, environmental pollution from the River Ollatrim, and property devaluation. One resident said: “What do we get? Smell, traffic, and the loss of everything we’ve worked for—our homes, our fresh air, our peace.”

Independent TD Ryan O’Meara, who has engaged with national and local biogas concern groups, said his main concerns are the lack of regulation and the limited enforcement powers of the EPA.

Several large-scale anaerobic digestion projects are currently in development across Ireland, reflecting the country’s push toward renewable energy. Annaholty Green Energy near Birdhill, Co. Tipperary, has submitted an application for two primary digesters and one secondary tank, currently at the pre-validation stage.

Nephin Renewable Gas near Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, has received planning permission to process around 90,000 tonnes of feedstock per year, with operations expected to begin in 2026. Meanwhile, Nua Bioenergy Limited is developing a facility on the former Lisheen mine site in Moyne, Co. Tipperary, for which planning permission has already been granted for four primary digester tanks.

Government support has previously been available for such projects. The €40 million Biomethane Capital Grant scheme offered up to 20 % of investment costs for eligible plants, demonstrating government backing for the development of renewable energy from agricultural and food-industry byproducts.

Looking ahead, a second round of biomethane capital grants is expected to operate from 2026 to 2030, funded through a €500 million allocation from the National Development Plan’s Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund. While full eligibility criteria and per-project allocations are yet to be finalised, the scheme signals continued government support for renewable energy projects.

The upcoming Renewable Heat Obligation, expected to take effect in 2026, will further incentivise biomethane production by creating guaranteed demand for renewable heat.

Biomethane offers advantages over other renewable sources. It can be stored and used on demand, injected into the existing gas network, and helps manage organic waste while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Digestate byproducts can replace synthetic fertiliser, creating circular economy benefits.

However with regard to the proposed Biogas plant in Ballymackey, the meeting last Thursday concluded with a clear message, local concerns about the scale and location of the project remain largely unaddressed. While the proposed facility could provide significant environmental benefits and renewable energy for the area, residents and elected representatives stressed that its scale, location, and potential impacts on traffic, the River Ollatrim, and community life cannot be ignored.

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