A new project has injected biomethane into the Irish Grid for the first time in a major milestone for the technology.
Naturgy Ireland has injected the renewable gas, biomethane into the Irish Grid for the first time at Cush. County Kildare. The gas is produced from the decomposition of organic waste via the anaerobic digestion process.
Biomethane has never been used in the country’s gas grid before now but is seen as a major component in Ireland’s plans to decarbonise the energy system.
The gas is produced from food waste, animal slurry and surplus crops, making it an eco-friendly energy source and an ideal replacement for natural gas.
The natural gas network currently supplies over 700,000 homes and businesses in Ireland and makes up around 30% of the country’s energy mix, producing almost 50% of the nation’s electricity.
Naturgy Ireland supply biomethane to companies such as Tesco Ireland and believes its use in the Irish gas network can present a big opportunity to businesses.
Naturgy CEO, Liam Faulkner said: “Many large natural gas users now want to procure biomethane in the same manner as they buy green electricity because they recognise the importance of sustainability and moving towards carbon neutrality for their business. The injection of biomethane into theIrish grid for the first time represents an important step towards decarbonising Ireland’s energy use.”
The new injection point was implemented at Cush in County Kildare and will initially supply the grid with 36,000 MWh of renewable gas – reducing the nation’s emissions by 7,200 tonnes of CO2, per year.
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