Biomethane capital grants worth €19m to be issued
Capital grants worth a total of €19m will begin to be issued to successful biomethane applicants.
Successful projects under the 2024 Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme will now begin receiving payments.
Making the announcement, agriculture minister Martin Heydon said: “I am pleased to announce that payments under the Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme, worth almost €19m, are expected to begin to successful projects today.
"This funding is being drawn down through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Since the publication of the Biomethane Strategy, the Government has recognised capital support was needed to kick-start the industry, and I am delighted to be able to deliver on this support with these payments.”
Mr Heydon highlighted such investments would benefit the agricultural sector, helping to contribute to the delivery of renewable energy targets. For each successful project, 20% of the total capital investment costs per applicant will be payable to successful projects, subject to a maximum level of funding of €5m per project.
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“Biomethane also represents a pathway for farmers to diversify income streams. I am keen to see the industry grow and, as a result, provide opportunities and benefits to the agriculture sector,” he said.
Successful applicants under the grant scheme include Bia Energy, Co Dublin; Brookdale Biogas Ltd, Co Donegal; College Proteins Unlimited Company, Co Meath; Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises, Co Kildare; Glenmore Generation Ltd, Co Donegal; Lisheen Renewable Energy Ltd, Co Tipperary; and Rockbrook AD Ltd, Co Laois.
Climate, energy and environment minister Darragh O’Brien, said: “These grants demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting delivery of Ireland’s target of up to 5.7 terawatt-hours of indigenously produced biomethane annually.
"Achieving this target will bring substantial benefits across our economy, strengthen our energy security, and support our emissions reduction objectives. Biomethane will play a vital role in the decarbonisation of Ireland’s built environment, industrial activities, and transport sector.”
Mr O’Brien also confirmed a further €200m had been secured through the National Development Plan process to support a second round of capital grants for anaerobic digestion plants.
“This funding programme is expected to open later in 2026 and will continue through to 2030. Together, these investments will help deliver a cleaner, more secure and more sustainable energy system for generations to come,” he said.
These projects alone have the capacity to deliver about 10% of the 2030 target for biomethane production, as set out in the Climate Action Plan, which will be equivalent to the heating requirements
of 56,000 homes.
