Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
200. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to develop a bio-methane sector in Ireland; if he will outline the steps taken in each of the past five years to progress the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP 21) commits to the production of 1.6 TWh by 2030 of indigenously produced biomethane using waste materials and agricultural based feedstock. The National Energy Security Framework (NESF), published in April 2022, highlights that alternatives to natural gas, such as biomethane, provide additional diversification for Ireland’s energy mix. The NESF sets out that 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.
Under CAP 21, a public consultation on the potential introduction of a renewable energy obligation in the heat sector was carried out in Q4 2021 and my Department is working through technical queries arising from the consultation also taking account of relevant findings from the National Heat Study. The National Heat Study, which was prepared at my Department’s request, contains detailed analysis which is being used to facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050.
In line with the NESF, existing supports for biomass/biogas in the heat sector under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) are also being 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.
