SDLP Agriculture Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA (Mid Ulster) joined local Dungannon representative Cllr Karol McQuade in welcoming the first injection of renewable biomethane into the local gas network, calling it a significant step forward for NI and its journey to net zero.
In a first for NI, Granville Eco Park, Dungannon, a Bio Capital Group company successfully injected renewable biomethane into the local gas network. Biomethane is similar to natural gas, so it is able to be blended into the network without the need for any changes in transmission and distribution infrastructure or end-user equipment.
The largest facility of its kind in the region, Bio Capital produces biomethane by recycling biodegradable waste (packaged and unpackaged) from local Councils, the hospitality sector and food and drink processors.
The 2030 ban on such products going to landfill presents a significant opportunity for Councils and businesses to play a greater role in the circular economy by helping to produce a range of sustainable products through anaerobic digestion.
Having installed a £1.2m gas to grid system at its existing anaerobic digestor, Bio Capital has the capability to export enough gas to decarbonise Dungannon’s entire annual gas consumption.
Local stakeholders and partners were invited to Granville EcoPark in Dungannon on Wednesday to hear more about the project and see the installation first hand.
SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster, Patsy McGlone said,
“Indigenously produced biomethane in the local gas network can help displace the use of fossil fuels in our energy consumption. It has enormous potential in our efforts to meet the Green House Gas emission targets agreed in the Energy Strategy and Climate Change Act.
“The inaugural injection of biomethane into the gas network by Granville EcoPark is a huge step forward in that process, and I was happy to be able to attend such an important event in my constituency. We were also interested to hear about their other innovative proposals in areas like bio fertiliser and waste management.
“I look forward to following the development of this significant project and its contribution towards the goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050.”
Being 100% renewable and compliant with existing gas infrastructure means biomethane has the potential to play a major role in Northern Ireland’s transition to net zero. When generated from organic waste and used for heat, biomethane could produce greenhouse gas savings of up to 92% compared to natural gas.
Dr David McKee Chief Technical Officer at Bio Capital added,
“This is the first major step in increasing the amount of power, heat and transport that can be fuelled by renewable gas. Bio Capital has a wealth of experience in this area and a number of its other UK facilities are already injecting biomethane into the gas network, but this is a first for Northern Ireland – where we begin our journey towards a sustainable drive for indigenous renewable gas.
“We were keen to invite elected representatives and other key stakeholders to the site so they could see first-hand the installation – it allows them to get a feel for the project and understand the real impact this is going to have for the future of renewable energy for this region.
“Granville has been generating renewable gas since 2014. Up until now we have been using the gas to generate electricity on site, fuelling gas powered HGVs and transporting biomethane to customers for heat and power by road in pressurised containers. Having this gas to grid connection now offers us a further route to market.
“Replacing imported fossil fuels with a renewable low carbon alternative will go a significant way towards helping Northern Ireland exceed its targets set within the Energy Strategy and Climate Change Act. Diverting biodegradable waste from landfill to generate biomethane is also in line with the draft Circular Economy Strategy and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) ambition to ban biodegradable goods going to landfill by 2030.”
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Image Caption L-R: Patsy McGlone MLA (Mid Ulster), Dr David McKee Chief Technical Officer at Bio Capital, Ian Harvey, Granville Eco-Park, and Cllr Karol McQuade (Dungannon).
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