Methane produced by rotting landfill rubbish set to power 14,000 homes

In 2014, 14,000 homes in Co Kildare will be powered by gas produced from rotting rubbish in a landfill site at the county’s Drehid facility.

Bord na Móna is to develop a landfill-gas plant that will capture and burn methane that the decomposing rubbish produces, and turn it into electricity.

The project will employ 25 people during the construction phase and head of resource recovery with Bord na Móna, John Daly said the project showcases the employment opportunities in the renewable sector.

“This is a very exciting project for the company, that underlines how jobs and business activity in Bord na Móna can be directly supported by renewable energy projects.

“We are especially delighted to be able to announce more valuable employment opportunities within the communities that we have served for nearly 80 years,” he said.

At the moment, on larger landfill sites across the country, the methane naturally produced by rotting rubbish is safely burned in a processes known as flaring. The flaring can produce flames of 8ft diameter and extreme temperatures.

The Drehid facility will utilise four gas engines to burn the gas and produce 1.4MW electrical output each, to deliver 5.6MW of renewable power. “Apart from the economic benefits, this energy project at Drehid will substantially reduce emissions of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas when released directly into the atmosphere,” said Mr Daly.