Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
755. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to meet the target contained within the Climate Action Plan to provide 1.6 TWh biomethane injected into the gas grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12562/22]
View answerFrom the outset, it should be noted that energy policy including bioenergy is the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) who have overall responsibility for the development and support of renewable energy sources.
To further examine how the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) industry can be developed to meet the 1.6TWh commitment as set out under the Climate Action Plan, DECC has recently carried out a consultation on the potential introduction of a renewable energy obligation in the heat sector. The consultation is now closed, and the DECC is currently considering the responses received.
While the AD industry in Ireland is at a nascent stage of development when compared to many other European countries there are potential opportunities for farmers to make a contribution not only as owner/operators of AD plants but also through the provision of bioenergy feedstocks to the industry such as and grass/grass silage and organic manures.
These activities represent both income and land use diversification options for farmers while also providing farmers with a pathway to reduce fertilizer usage through the increased availability of digestate with resulting positive climate change implications.
My Department is also supporting research, development and demonstration in this particular area. There are currently two projects funded from the European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP) under the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. The Biorefinery Glas (small scale farmer-led green biorefineries) and Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) small biogas demonstration programme have been awarded funding of over €900,000 each. In addition my Department has a key regulatory role to play when using animal-by-products as feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion.
My Department continues to proactively engage with DECC on AD and other energy related matters to ensure that the agricultural contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy system is maximised.
