Biogas plan for Birdhill
Tipperary Co Council has received a planning application for a large-scale biogas facility near Birdhill.
Annaholty Green Energy Ltd is seeking permission for a period of 10 years for the construction and operation of a biogas renewable energy facility comprising of two primary anaerobic digesters and one secondary digester/storage tank with a range of associated works on a 12.8ha site in the townlands of Thornhill and Annaholty. The site is located approximately 3km south of Birdhill and in close proximity to an existing Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) high-distribution pipeline running along the old Nenagh-Limerick road (R445).
The proposed facility would be capable of processing around 50,000 tonnes of agricultural feedstocks - such as farmyard manures and slurries, poultry litter, maize and grass silage - per annum to renewable gas (biomethane) through anaerobic digestion, a biological process where organic matter is broken down by microorganisms. This gas would feed into the GNI gas network. It is envisioned that the proposed Birdhill facility would generate around 40 gigawatt hours of renewable gas per annum. The gas would be used to displace a similar volume of natural gas (a fossil fuel) within the GNI network.
The project is to involve installation of a new gas pipeline – with both underground and overground portions – for the purpose of conveying the renewable gas to the GNI pipeline on the R445. Installation of an underground mains water connection and electrical substation connection is also planned.
ONE HUNDRED CONSTRUCTION JOBS
Annaholty Green Energy has indicated that the proposed development would generate around 100 temporary construction jobs and would require, during peak phases, up to 70 workers onsite during the construction phase.
Five direct jobs would be created during the operational phase. In addition, indirect jobs generated from the proposed development would include roles for farming contractors and those in transportation.
The applicant’s agent, Malone O’Regan Environmental, informed the council that the development would also represent a new revenue stream for farmers supplying the biogas with feedstocks. The operator of the facility would endeavour to source materials within a 50km radius of the development where feasible.
“It is expected that the majority of employees would be from the surrounding areas, thus increasing employment levels and economic activity within Co Tipperary and the hinterland,” the council was told.
MEETING ENERGY TARGETS
Annaholty Green Energy is a part of Greensource Limited, which has been developing renewable energy projects in both wind and renewable gas for over 20 years, including the first commercial-scale anaerobic digestion plant in Ireland, located in Shanagolden, Co Limerick, in 2010.
The applicant’s agent told the council that in order to meet its renewable energy targets by 2030, Ireland would require 150 to 200 anaerobic digestion plants, “with some of them required to be on a larger scale than a farm-scale anaerobic digestion plant. The proposed development will play an important role in meeting this target.”
A pre-planning meeting was held with the council in November of last year. Among the topics raised were alternative locations and visibility of the proposed development.
Door-to-door public consultation to discuss the proposed biogas facility was undertaken by members of Annaholty Green Energy Limited on September 19 last for dwellings within close proximity to the proposed development.
The planning application was submitted to the council this month and was resubmitted on Tuesday of this week. It is at pre-validation stage with a decision due by December 15.