Approved anaerobic digestors

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For Written Answer on : 26/07/2022
Question Number(s): 2118 Question Reference(s): 41019/22
Department: Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 14 July 2022, the twelve anaerobic digesters producing biogas that are approved and under licence from his Department; his Department’s plans to approve and licence further such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Ireland’s National Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to delivering 1.6 Twh of indigenously produced biomethane, accounting for ca. 3% of natural gas supply. The agricultural sector has a keyrole to play in providing feedstocks, in particular grass/grass silage. 

My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications and all relevant stakeholders to further develop plans on how this commitment will be delivered.

The twelve animal by-product anaerobic digester plants currently approved by my Department are listed below:

All applications in relation to animal by-product anaerobic digester plants are assessed by my Department against the requirements laid out under the animal by-products regulations. Once required regulatory standards are achieved approval is granted with respect to these regulations.

A number of proposals for new facilities are at various stages of the application process and are currently being assessed by my Department.