Consultation on the Draft National Biomethane Strategy

In Ireland, the development of a biomethane industry is at a nascent stage of development but there is significant potential. Biomethane has the potential to displace fossil gas in many hard-to-decarbonise sectors and will play a significant role in enabling our transition to a net-zero economy, while also playing a significant role in the decarbonisation of Ireland’s agriculture sector

The opportunity to develop an indigenous biomethane industry of scale is well recognised in the Climate Action Plan 2023 which commits to supporting delivery of up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030.

A first key step to deliver on this ambitious target is the development of a National Biomethane Strategy, co-developed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Under the auspices of the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce, a dedicated AD/Biomethane working group was established to oversee the development of the National Biomethane Strategy and the types of supports and policy measures necessary to kick start the industry.

Following engagement with key stakeholders and industry experts, a Draft National Biomethane Strategy has been developed. We are now seeking views from interested parties on key actions to be undertaken and proposed roadmap to develop a biomethane of scale industry in Ireland.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open, and transparent manner. No final decisions have been made in relation to the Draft Strategy, or how it will be implemented. Feedback received as part of this consultation process will directly inform the final Strategy.

To capture feedback, we have developed an online survey and would particularly welcome views from suppliers of heat, or anyone with an interest in Ireland’s renewable fuel industry.

The closing date for submissions *has been extended to 5.30pm 5 March 2024**

If you would like to complete the consultation in hard copy format, or through Irish, please contact us by email at: NationalBiomethaneStrategyConsultation@decc.gov.ie or by post at:

Heat Policy Division

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

29 – 31 Adelaide Road,

Dublin,

D02 X285

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final version of the National Biomethane Strategy.

Your response to this consultation is subject to:

• the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
• the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE)
• the Data Protection Act 2018

Publishing of responses

We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.

Please indicate any sensitive information

In responding to this consultation, clearly indicate where your response contains any information which you would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published. This can include:

• personal information
• commercially sensitive information
• confidential information

Read our Data Privacy Notice

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains:

• how and when we collect personal data
• why we do so
• how we treat this information
• your rights in relation to the collection of personal information
• how you can exercise those rights