€90m Bia Energy facility in Dublin begins injecting renewable gas into the network as Ireland accelerates its biomethane ambitions.
Gas Networks Ireland and Bia Energy have marked a significant milestone in Ireland’s energy transition with the successful connection of Bia Energy’s €90 million biomethane production facility in Huntstown, Co Dublin, to the national gas network.
The connection is the first of its kind in Ireland, enabling renewable biomethane gas produced at the facility to be injected directly into the national gas grid and supplied to businesses and industry nationwide.
“Clean renewable biomethane gas can provide an immediate and practical decarbonisation solution for energy users”
The project was officially launched by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, who described the development as an important step in growing Ireland’s renewable gas sector.
“The connection of Bia Energy’s anaerobic digestion facility at Huntstown represents a significant step forward in the development of Ireland’s renewable gas sector. It demonstrates how agricultural and organic waste can be converted into a valuable renewable energy source, reducing emissions and enhancing energy security.
“The project also delivers benefits for agriculture through the production of digestate, which can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilisers, supporting more sustainable farming practices and a circular economy. Last month, the Government started issuing €19 million in funding to projects such as Bia Energy’s Huntstown facility that were successful under the 2024 Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme.”
Ireland’s biomethane economy takes shape
Bia Energy recently received almost €3.9 million in support through the Government’s National Biomethane Strategy Capital Grant Scheme. The company is one of seven biomethane producers that have secured funding under the programme.
To facilitate the connection, Gas Networks Ireland constructed an extension to the existing gas network and developed a new Biomethane Network Entry Facility, allowing biomethane from the Huntstown site to be safely injected into the gas system.
Gas Networks Ireland said it now has connection agreements in place with seven biomethane producers, including Bia Energy, supporting the State’s target of producing 5.7 terawatt hours of biomethane by 2030. That volume is equivalent to approximately 10% of Ireland’s current gas demand.
Karen Doyle, head of Business Development at Gas Networks Ireland, said the project signals the beginning of a new phase for renewable gas production in Ireland.
“Bia Energy’s new direct connection to the gas network is a landmark day for Ireland’s energy transition. Gas Networks Ireland is working to facilitate and assist the expansion of Ireland’s biomethane sector, which is currently underway and we already have connection agreements with seven producers. The delivery and commissioning of these facilities will play an important role in helping to secure Ireland’s indigenous energy supply and progress towards achieving the State’s target of having 5.7 terawatt hours (TWh) of biomethane production by 2030, equivalent to about 10 per cent of the country’s current gas demand.
“Clean renewable biomethane gas can provide an immediate and practical decarbonisation solution for energy users, enabling businesses to reduce their emissions while continuing to utilise their existing gas infrastructure and equipment.”
Biomethane is produced through anaerobic digestion, a natural biological process that converts agricultural and food waste into a renewable gas that is structurally identical to natural gas. The process also produces digestate, a nutrient-rich biofertiliser that can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilisers.
For Bia Energy, the launch represents both a company milestone and a landmark moment for the wider industry.
“Bia Energy is delighted to be the first biomethane production plant to be directly connected to Ireland’s national gas network. This is a very significant day, not just for the respective teams at Bia Energy and Gas Networks Ireland, who have worked in partnership to achieve this milestone, but also for the entire renewable gas industry in Ireland,” said Brendan Traynor, Chief Executive Officer of Bia Energy.
“Through anaerobic digestion we are turning organic waste into a valuable energy resource. Biomethane will play an important role in Ireland’s energy future as it will enhance energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and have a positive impact on farming by reducing chemical fertilisers and replacing them with a higher quality organic biofertiliser. Our Dublin facility alone will help replace about 3,000 tonnes of chemical fertiliser every year.”
The Huntstown facility, part of the Sretaw Group founded by Irish businessman Eamon Waters, uses short-dated and surplus packaged food from the retail and hospitality sectors, alongside materials from agriculture and food production, to generate renewable biomethane.
Once operating at full capacity, the plant is expected to inject up to 120 gigawatt hours of biomethane into the national gas network annually.
Bia Energy is also preparing to expand its biomethane operations with a second facility planned for Co Kildare, further increasing its contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy capacity.
Image at top: Bia Energy CEO Brendan Traynor; Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, TD; and GNI head of Business Development Karen Doyle
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