Irish-Austrian partnership to expand biomethane production in Ireland
An Irish renewable energy company is partnering with Austrian anaerobic digestion (AD) technology experts to support the expansion of Ireland’s biomethane production.
Local Power specialises in biomethane, solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging infrastructure; while Vienna-based BIOGEST provides biomethane and biogas plant solutions worldwide.
Pat Smith, managing director of Local Power, and former Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) general secretary, described BIOGEST as "a company with an exceptional global record in agricultural anaerobic digestion technology.
“With all major development milestones achieved for our Curragh Biogas project in Co. Meath, this collaboration brings together the technical strength and project experience needed to deliver a high‑quality biomethane facility for Ireland.”
“BIOGEST’s proven technology will provide real confidence to farmers and developers and we see this partnership as an important step towards building a robust and sustainable biomethane industry.”
The first joint project under the partnership, Curragh Biogas in Carnaross, Co. Meath, is a ready-to-build facility, designed for biomethane production based on a poultry, cattle and pig slurry and grass, maize and rye silage feedstock mix.
According to Local Power and BIOGEST, the Curragh Biogas project will “reduce annual emissions by an estimated 25,000t of CO2 equivalent”.
BIOGEST
Martin Schlerka, CEO of BIOGEST said the Austrian company is pleased to collaborate with Local Power Ltd. "on bringing high‑performance biomethane solutions to Ireland".
“Ireland offers a very promising environment for biomethane development, and we look forward to contributing our expertise to support the sector’s growth - provided a stable and effective policy framework is in place.”
A statement from the two companies said: “This collaboration builds on Local Power’s deep experience in renewable energy project development in Ireland and represents a major step towards scaling a farmer‑inclusive model of biomethane production.”
Biomethane
Recently, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien discussed plans and targets for the AD industry.
There is an emphasis “on ensuring development of the AD industry in an environmentally sustainable manner”, according to Minister O'Brien.
The minister added: “The government has committed to deliver up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane per annum by 2030."
