Plans announced for new biomethane plant in Carlow

A biogas company that was established last year has announced plans to build a biomethane plant in Co. Carlow.

Greengate Biogas has said it is inviting the local community in Powerstown in the northwest of the county to take part in a consultation.

The company said it aims to produce almost 1.8 TWh (terawatt-hours) of biomethane annually in Ireland. This will be the business' first biomethane plant.

The plant will process agricultural residues (including cattle and pig slurry, farmyard straw manure and poultry manure) into biomethane, biogenic CO2 (carbon dioxide) and fertiliser.

Greengate Biogas said that the plant will "support local farmers" in improving their manure management and create a circular economy by returning the degassed agricultural residues to farmland.

The plant will process up to 700,000t of agricultural residues to produce approximately 250 GWh (gigawatt-hours) of biomethane, and capture 30,000t of biogenic CO2 per year, the company said.

The biomethane will be injected into the local gas network, with the company saying the amount of energy produced would be equivalent to the heat demand of 22,700 households.

Greengate Biogas said it is exploring options for storing the captured biogenic CO2 or using it for industrial purposes.

The company said that the plant will be a "significant investment" in Co. Carlow's local energy infrastructure supporting the delivery of its 2028 climate action objectives.

The business said that the plant will create over 100 jobs during construction.

Greengate Biogas intends to submit a formal planning application in the third quarter of this year.

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Speaking about the project, Greengate Biogas chief executive, Andrew Bernard, said: "The proposed plant in Powerstown represents a significant investment in Co. Carlow's local energy infrastructure and will generate long-term skilled jobs in the region.

"By processing agricultural residues to produce biomethane and fertiliser, the plant will create a circular economy, helping farmers to better manage their manure and contribute to Ireland's energy security by reducing reliance on imported natural gas."

Interested parties are invited to attend a community consultation event on April 10, at the Woodford Dolman Hotel just outside Carlow town

The consultation event takes place will begin at 8:00a.m, and a team from Greengate Biogas will be at the event to provide information and answer questions, the business said.

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