Will biogas sort out Ireland's decarbonisation needs, or will it just leave a bad smell?

Ireland's ambitious targets for biomethane — turning waste into gas — has inspired a wave of planning applications but community groups are raising concerns about the regulation of the new industry

Macroom Biogas Concern Group cites issues from inadequate road infrastructure to air and water quality and explosion risks in its opposition to the plans by NRG Ltd. Picture: Peter Scanlon

Touted as a step on the road to Ireland’s decarbonisation goals, biomethane has the potential to turn waste byproducts from agriculture, the food industry, and even from sewage treatment plants into a potent source of new energy.

A new national biomethane strategy published in May has set an ambitious target of 10% of our current natural gas needs from renewable sources by 2030, which would require the creation of up to 200 biomethane plants in just six years.