Ireland has set a target to produce up to 5.7 terawatt hours (TWh) of biomethane annually by 2030, equivalent to about 10 per cent of the country’s current gas demand.

The goal forms a central part of the Government’s National Biomethane Strategy, which aims to build a large-scale, sustainable biomethane industry using agricultural feedstocks and waste materials.

To support that development, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon have published a new Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter. The charter sets out environmental safeguards and best practice standards for anaerobic digestion projects producing biomethane across the country.

The guidelines were developed jointly by the two departments and in consultation with industry stakeholders. They focus on sustainable feedstock sourcing, digestate management, plant design and operation, and community engagement.

Minister O’Brien said the charter would help ensure that all biomethane plants meet high environmental standards as Ireland scales up renewable gas production. Minister Heydon said the sector would offer farmers new income opportunities and help reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers.

A progress report on the implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy has also been published on the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment’s website.