'No request for grant aid' received for anaerobic digestors - minister
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that no "request for grant aid" has been received in relation to anaerobic digestors.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) launched the first capital grant programme for the biomethane industry in 2024 under the National Biomethane Strategy.
This provides that 20% of total capital investment costs per applicant can be payable subject to a maximum level of funding of €5 million per project.
According to Minister Martin Heydon, capital grant letters of offer were issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to 18 successful applicants back in September 2024.
However Minister Heydon confirmed this month that "to date no request for grant aid has been received from applicants approved for funding".
In response to a question tabled by the Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice, the minister outlined that all 18 applicants were expected to have "construction complete and installed capacity for the supported production facilities to produce sustainable biomethane" by December 31, 2025.
Minister Heydon also told Deputy Fitzmaurice that applicants had initially been expected to "submit all supporting documents and a claim for payment by January 14, 2026".
However he said this date had then been moved to February 4.
'Sustainable manner'
Separately, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has also discussed plans and targets for the aneorobic digestion (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 was speaking in response to queries on the matter from Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea.
Minister O’Brien said: “The government has committed to deliver up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane per annum by 2030."
He said that the Biomethane Implementation Group “has been established to oversee implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy and the associated delivery of the 25 key strategic actions to ensure the necessary infrastructure and supports are in place to underpin development of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale”.
The minister added: “Chaired by my department, with close support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the group reports directly to the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce on ongoing progress and is comprised of a number of focused sub-groups namely - Infrastructure; Sustainability; Industry; and Economic Issues. Membership of the group includes key government departments and agencies, and sectoral representatives.
“A priority action within the strategy is the development of the Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter.”
The charter is now finalised and is published on the biomethane policy information page on the government website.
Anaerobic digestion
Minister O’Brien also said: “Sustainability is a key pillar of the National Biomethane Strategy, with an emphasis on ensuring development of the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry in an environmentally sustainable manner, achieving high standards for the protection of water, soil, biodiversity and the local ecosystem.
“The charter sets out best practices guidelines to maximise the benefits of AD, while minimising its environmental impact on land use, water quality, and biodiversity, as well as ensuring a high health and safety standard within the sector.”
The minister said that this group "continues to engage with action owners and key stakeholders to monitor implementation”.
He added: “Although AD a is very well-established technology in Europe with over 20,000 plants in operation, it is a relatively new and unknown technology in Ireland.
“As such, my department is committed to offering information and support to address concerns, foster the sharing of information, and promote transparency around AD developments and the part they play in decarbonisation."
Separately the Fine Gael TD Colm Burke also requested an update from Minister O’Brien on the current position regarding the National Biomethane Strategy.
The minister replied: "A biomethane implementation sub-group has recently been established to oversee the preparation of a support document to assist local representatives and planning authorities when assessing planning applications for biomethane plants.
"It is expected the support document will be finalised in 2026."
