County Carlow – 31st March 2025: Following the launch of Greengate Biogas in June 2024 and its mission to produce nearly 1.8 TWh of biomethane annually in Ireland, Greengate Biogas now invites for the community consultation of its first biomethane plant located in Powerstown, County Carlow.
The plant will contribute to Ireland's green energy transition, improving energy security and reducing reliance on imported natural gas. The plant will process agricultural residues (i.e. cattle and pig slurry, farmyard straw manure and poultry manure) into biomethane, biogenic CO2 and fertiliser. The plant will support local farmers to improve their manure management and create a circular economy by returning the degassed agricultural residues to farmland thereby contributing to a more sustainable future for Irish agriculture.
The plant will process up to 700,000 tonnes of agricultural residues to produce approximately 250 GWh of biomethane and to capture 30,000 tonnes of biogenic CO2 per annum. The biomethane will be injected into the local gas network, providing sustainable energy equivalent to the heat demand of approximately 22,700 households[1]. Options are being explored for storing the captured biogenic CO2 or using it for industrial purposes.
The biomethane plant will be a significant investment in County Carlow's local energy infrastructure supporting the delivery of its 2028 climate action objectives[2]. The plant will create long-term local employment and over 100 jobs during construction.
The plant design is based on best available technologies with anticipated planning application submission in the third quarter of 2025.
Andrew Bernard, CEO, Greengate Biogas says about the project: "The proposed biomethane plant in Powerstown represents a significant investment in County Carlow's local energy infrastructure and will generate long term skilled jobs in the region. By processing agricultural residues to produce biomethane and fertiliser, the plant will create a circular economy helping farmers to better manage their manure and contribute to Ireland's energy security by reducing reliance on imported natural gas.”
As part of Greengate Biogas’ commitment to engage with the local community, interested parties are invited to attend a Community Consultation Event 10 April 2025. The Greengate Biogas team will be available during the event to share information and answer questions about the proposed biomethane plant. The event will provide Greengate Biogas the opportunity to obtain valuable feedback from attendees.
Details of the Community Consultation Event are detailed below:
Venue: The Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Co. Carlow, R93 N207
Date: 10th April 2025
Time: 08:00 – 20:00
Please contact us at powerstown@greengatebiogas.ie for more information about the Community Consultation Event and visit our website: www.greengatebiogas.ie to learn more about the Powerstown project and the benefits of anaerobic digestion.
The proposed biomethane plant in Powerstown is the first of several projects planned by Greengate Biogas for Ireland, whose ambition is to deliver approximately 30% of Ireland’s 5.7 TWh biomethane target under the Climate Action Plan 2024 (3).
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Issued for Greengate Biogas by Heneghan Strategic Communications
Media Inquiries - Nigel Heneghan / e. nigel@heneghan.ie / m. + 353 (86) 258 7206
About Greengate Biogas
Greengate Biogas is an Irish company that was established in 2024 and has been jointly developed by lead-investor Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners CI Advanced Bioenergy Fund I, Atlas Renewables Limited and Energex Partners Ltd. Greengate Biogas aims to take a leading role in Ireland's transition to renewable energy by focusing on biomethane production through the development, construction, and operation of large-scale centralised anaerobic digestion plants in strategic locations across the country. www.greengatebiogas.ie.
About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world’s largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X. www.greengatebiogas.ie.
CIP manages 13 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 32 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 180 international institutional investors. CIP has projects in more than 30 countries and more than 2500 employees across platforms and projects globally. For more information, visit www.cip.com.