Tullamore biogas plant to be up and running by Autumn 2023
Strategic Power, a leading renewable energy developer, has said its anaerobic digestion plant in Tullamore will be operational by Autumn 2023.
It comes after An Bord Pleanála last week gives the green light to Strategic Power Limited to build a renewable biogas facility on a site at Ballyduff, just 2.2km from the town centre of Tullamore, which will receive organic matter and convert it into biogas and organic fertiliser.
Offaly County Council had refused permission for the project and the decision had been appealed by the developer to the planning board.
This is the third renewable energy project approved for Strategic Power in the Republic of Ireland in the last year.
The development, located on industrial land at Ballyduff, Tullamore, will consist of a renewable biogas facility which will inject BioMethane into the local Gas Network Ireland (GNI) network. Renewable biogas will be captured during anaerobic digestion of agricultural feedstocks, upgraded to BioMethane and injected into the GNI pipe network.
The AD plant, once constructed, will be fed by approximately 50,000 tonnes of feedstock that will primarily be sourced from local farms within 10 kilometres of the site. The proposed development will not accept any municipal waste.
The development will provide a nutrient rich digestate which will be used as an organic bio-fertiliser, which will be returned to the supply farms fully closing the circular economy model and reducing the requirement for imported chemical/synthetic fertilisers.
The plant will produce 40GWh of renewable gas per year which will be sold to through suppliers to consumers – domestic and industrial gas users. The BioMethane can also be used a low emissions fuel for heavy goods vehicles.
Paul Carson, Managing Director, Strategic Power said: “We are incredibly encouraged by the outcome of this planning decision. The deployment of AD plants in Ireland is urgently needed in order to meet its target for 20% renewable gas on the network by 2030.
“When operational, the development at Tullamore will have a positive and long-term impact on the local, regional and national economy. It will generate direct and indirect employment as well as bringing tremendous wider benefits to the agriculture industry.
“The site at Ballyduff was selected after careful consideration of all environmental aspects and we are delighted that An Bord Pleanala have endorsed our assessment that this is an acceptable site for an Agri AD plant. We are aware of the concerns of local residents and are committed to operating as good neighbours.
“We are developing this Agri AD plant in partnership with Nicholas Molloy, a progressive young farmer based on the edge of Tullamore town. Nicholas has recently built a successful dairy unit and quickly expanded it alongside his already substantial tillage and beet operation. We are fortunate to work with Nicholas on this project – his expertise, commitment and support throughout the design and planning process has been tremendous and we look forward to building on that relationship through the long-term supply arrangement for the plant.”
The construction phase of the development at Tullamore will be undertaken on a phased basis over a 12-month duration and is expected to be operational in Autumn 2023.