Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
182. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland the number of anaerobic digestion systems currently operational by county that received a grant under the support scheme for renewable heat; the number of energy units produced per county from this source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26472/20]
View answerMy Department does not collect the data requested in relation to anaerobic digestion in Ireland. I understand the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a regulatory role in relation to anaerobic digesters when the operator is using animal-by-products as a feedstock. my Department understands that there are currently 12 facilities approved to operate using this material as a feed stock.
SEAI recently published a report on Renewable Energy in Ireland. While this report does not provide a breakdown by county, it does include useful information in regard to renewable biogas, produced from anaerobic digestion, in both heat and electricity. That report is available at the following link: https://www.seai.ie/publications/2020-Renewable-Energy-in-Ireland-Report.pdf.
