Gas Networks Ireland has connected College Group’s new €30m biomethane facility in Nobber in Co Meath to the country’s national gas network.
The biomethane produced at the facility will not only increase the amount of renewable gas on the network but will also be used to power College Group’s own operations and bioCNG vehicles.
College Group’s new facility uses anaerobic digestion to transform mainly commercial food waste, alongside material from its wider operations into biomethane.
The development is a strong example of the circular economy in action, transforming organic material that would otherwise require disposal into a valuable source of renewable energy.
College Group, which has a workforce of more than 150 people, is the second major biomethane producer to connect directly to the gas network this month and the move highlights the growing momentum behind the country’s indigenous biomethane sector.
The new facility, which received a Government capital grant of €2.4m, has an annual production capacity of up to 75 GWh of biomethane. It takes food and agri-food by-products and transforms them through anaerobic digestion into renewable biomethane gas.
Gas Networks Ireland’s chief executive David Kelly said that what makes College Group particularly significant is the circularity of the company’s energy model of converting waste to gas to fuel their facility, as well as entering the national network.
“This is important not just because of the volume of gas being produced at this facility, but because of what it represents for the wider market. The connection of another producer demonstrates that Ireland has the capability to develop, connect and utilise indigenous renewable gas at scale,” Mr Kelly said.
“It sends a strong signal to potential producers and investors that biomethane has a significant place in Ireland’s future energy system,” he stated.
“Biomethane will help strengthen Ireland’s energy security by providing an indigenous source of renewable gas, while also supporting the decarbonisation of sectors where gas continues to play an important role. Gas Networks Ireland is committed to facilitating the development of the infrastructure needed to enable Ireland’s biomethane sector to grow,” he added.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee said that College Group has been an important part of the Nobber community and economy for more than 35 years and its continued investment in innovation, renewable energy and new technologies demonstrates the contribution that ambitious Irish businesses can make to our national climate and energy goals.
“This facility is a great example of the circular economy in action, taking food and agri-food by-products and transforming them into a valuable source of renewable energy. It is also an important investment in the local economy, supporting jobs and demonstrating that the transition to a lower-carbon economy can deliver real opportunities for communities across Ireland,” the Minister said.
“Projects such as this also have an important role to play in strengthening Ireland’s energy security. Producing more of our own renewable energy here in Ireland from resources generated within our own economy, means greater resilience and less reliance on imported energy,” she added.
College Group’s Commercial Director, John Paul Gilroy said the company’s new anaerobic digestion facility transforms food and agri-food by-products into renewable gas.
“Having that gas now connected to the national network is a major achievement for our team and demonstrates what can be achieved through continued investment and innovation,” Mr Gilroy said.
“What makes this particularly exciting is that we are not only producing renewable energy but also finding ways to use it within our own business, including in our vehicles. It is a great example of how the circular economy can work in practice,” he stated.
He said the plant is also the newest addition to the company’s circular economy park here in Nobber.
“Across the site, waste products are transformed into renewable fuels and energy – together delivering close to 200,000 tonnes of CO₂ savings every year,” he added
College Group has an offtake agreement in place with Flogas for biomethane to be used as BioCNG to fuel heavy goods vehicles, providing a lower carbon alternative to diesel and supporting the decarbonisation of the transport sector.
The company’s Nobber facility has an annual production capacity of up to 75 GWh of biomethane and the addition of a biomethane production plant represents a significant additional investment by the company.
