Stream BioEnergy’s project is set to become Ireland’s largest biomethane plant using mixed food and garden waste.

Gas Networks Ireland will connect a new €80m biomethane facility in Little Island, Cork to the national gas network through an agreement with its operator Stream BioEnergy.

The new facility is expected to become operational in 2027 and, when completed, will process roughly 90,000 tonnes of domestic and commercial food and garden waste yearly. 

Using anaerobic digestion technology, the plant will produce 80GWh of renewable biomethane each year, which is enough renewable gas to meet the annual heating demand of approximately 6,000 homes.

The project will be Ireland’s largest biomethane plant using mixed food and garden waste, and represents a significant step forward in the country’s transition to renewable energy and circular waste management. 

The facility will aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and artificial fertilisers, and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. 

The Stream Bioenergy Little Island facility is the seventh biomethane production plant to be contracted to connect to the national gas network in the last three years, with further contracts currently at an advanced stage of discussion.

Commenting on the announcement, Gas Networks Ireland’s head of business development Karen Doyle said: “This agreement with Stream BioEnergy marks another important milestone in the development of Ireland’s renewable gas sector. Biomethane has a vital role to play in supporting Ireland’s transition to a lower-carbon energy system while also delivering sustainable solutions for organic waste management.

“Connecting facilities such as this to the national gas network demonstrates how existing infrastructure can support Ireland’s climate action targets, energy security and circular economy ambitions.”

Morgan Burke, the chief operating officer of Stream BioEnergy, added, “Our project in Little Island will provide for sustainable management of organic waste, enhance energy security, whilst contributing to our energy transition and decarbonisation targets in a meaningful way.”

Also in Cork, a new onshore renewable energy company recently launched following the completion of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of Ørsted’s European onshore business. Cork was chosen as the new European headquarters for Perigus Energy, formerly part of Ørsted, which has 373MW of operational onshore wind farms across the island of Ireland, with a further 179MW currently under construction. 

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.