Biogas production from agriculture waste is being held up due to the cost factor, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has indicated.

Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister about his Department’s plans to increase the uptake of farm waste to convert into biogas in a parliamentary question.

In response, the Minister said: “I have noted that while it is possible to produce and utilise methane through AD of stored manure (which accounts for only 10% of agricultural methane), academic and industry research suggests that there is the potential for a significant role in the heat and transport sectors for biogas produced by anaerobic digestion.

“However, as outlined above, analysis to date would suggest that costs are a significant factor.”

As the national dairy herd continues to expand, anaerobic digestion and the use of methane from livestock for energy have been suggested as having potential to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint.

Analysis to date would suggest that costs are a significant factor

However, Ireland’s use of biogas remains relatively low, with just nine plants licenced to use animal byproduct as a feedstock for energy generation.

The Minister stated that his department remained committed to looking at ways to increase the use of forestry and animal products for energy generation.

Currently, 31 plants generate biogas from agriculture, sewage, industrial landfills and industrial waste.

“Their cumulative capacity amounted to 47 MW, generating 206 GWh of electricity in 2014, while 8.1 ktoe of thermal energy were generated respectively,” Minister Creed stated.

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Costs holding back biogas production

There has been an increased focus on the use of biogas to mitigate the agricultural carbon footprint, but it's being held back by lack of funding.