Stephen Cadogan: Biomethane can help greatly to decarbonise Irish agriculture
Slurry from 1.3 million cattle will be required to meet the 2030 biomethane target. This represents about 20% of all winter cattle slurry produced in Ireland.
A major role is envisaged for Irish farmers to own, operate, and supply feedstock to plants producing biomethane. But the challenges of high investment costs, regulatory and permitting requirements, and technical expertise, are emphasised in the draft National Biomethane Strategy published last week.
The cost of producing biomethane depends on factors such as the scale of the plant, feedstock supply, the proximity of anaerobic digestion plants to the gas grid, and financing.
