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Energy Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022

Thursday, 5 May 2022

Questions (105, 106, 107, 108, 109)

Richard Bruton

Question:

105. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of potential policies and legislation relating to anaerobic digestion plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22407/22]

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Richard Bruton

Question:

106. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether large centralised anaerobic digestion is being underutilised as a form of renewable energy as this country has a large number of livestock producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22408/22]

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Richard Bruton

Question:

107. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if anaerobic digestion as a renewable energy will be used as an alternative policy measure to cut emissions from the agricultural sector instead of cutting the herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22409/22]

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Richard Bruton

Question:

108. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to develop potential opportunities for farmers from anaerobic digestion as was outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22410/22]

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Richard Bruton

Question:

109. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there will be additional supports introduced particularly in the area of the food and beverage production industry to incentivise companies to establish anaerobic digestion plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22411/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109 together. 105, 106, 107, 108 and 109  together.

Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to the production of 1.6 TWh by 2030 of indigenously produced biomethane using waste materials and agricultural based feedstock.

The introduction of supports for biomethane, as a replacement for natural gas in the context of the changed outlook for natural gas supply and prices, will be appraised by Q3 2022, as set out in the National Energy Security Framework, published on 13th April 2022. 

In addition, supports for biomass/biogas in the heat sector under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) are to be reviewed. The SSRH provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems and an installation grant for renewable heating systems using heat pumps

Any support for biomethane production or use must take due account of the level that can be produced from indigenous sustainable feedstocks, as set out in the National Heat Study.

I also expect to be in a position to seek a Government decision in the near future in relation to the introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme. It would be expected that any Renewable Heat Obligation would place an obligation on the suppliers of fuel that is to be used for heating to ensure a certain proportion of that fuel is renewable.

In tandem with the steps being taken by my Department, my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine oversees, through the National Development Plan (NDP), a capital fund of €24 million to support the development of a pilot of agri-led Anaerobic Digestion plants. These Anaerobic Digestion plants will provide a market opportunity for farmers to participate as operators and/or feedstock providers. All sustainability criteria under RED II (recast Renewable Energy Directive) must be met and the scale up of production of renewable energy must not undermine food production.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM) has a key role in the regulation of AD plants in Ireland when using animal by-products as feedstocks. Through this regulatory role DAFM continuously engages with stakeholders, including farmers, involved in anaerobic digestion both as operators and suppliers of feedstocks. The development of an AD industry provides farmers with both an income diversification opportunity as well as a land use alternative. To enhance understanding of the sector and how farmers and landowners may contribute, DAFM has funded a number of relevant research projects in this area. Of particular importance are two projects which have received part-funding from DAFM through the European Innovation Partnerships initiative (EIP), as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.  The Bio-refinery Glas (small scale farmer-led green bio-refineries) and Irish Bio-energy Association (IrBEA) (small biogas demonstration programme) have both been awarded funding of over €900,000 each and upon completion will provide valuable information of specific relevance to Irish farmers.

Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 105.
Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 105.
Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 105.
Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 105.
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