Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
148. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the current grant schemes available for anaerobic digestion; if enhancements to these grants are being considered; if he will outline the guidelines for those considering AD, including to avoid displacement farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37133/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnaerobic Digestion (AD) produces biogas which can be captured and used for renewable heat and electricity generation.
My Department has developed a number of schemes and initiatives designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources, whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland. These schemes include the grid scale, auction based Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), for smaller installations, up to 50 kW in size (30kWe for micro-renewable Combined Heat and Power), and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH).
The RESS and MSS schemes both include AD for electricity generation with High Efficiency Combined Heat and Power as an eligible technology. Under the RESS, there are a range of measures in place to support increased community ownership, participation in, and benefit from, renewable electricity projects, including an Enabling Framework for Community Participation. However, no AD projects have come through the RESS auctions to date.
AD and the production of renewable gas has a key role to play in the decarbonisation of our energy sector and will provide an opportunity for land use diversification and income for farmers. Any support for 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.
