Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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185. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to utilise the potential of anaerobic digestion; his further plans to consult with farmers, communities and other stakeholders in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23848/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), was developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users, and includes an operational support for anaerobic digestion heating systems. This support, which is operated by the SEAI, provides a multiannual payment for up to 15 years based on prescribed tariffs per unit of heat energy.

Anaerobic Digestion can also play a role in decarbonising the gas network in Ireland and can also help farmers generate a sustainable income, while reducing emissions in the agricultural sector. The Climate Action Plan, which was published in June 2019, included an action to set a target for the level of indigenous biomethane to be produced from anaerobic digestion and injected into the gas grid by 2030. The National Energy & Climate Plan, which was published last month, sets an indicative target for indigenous biomethane of 1.6 TWh which would replace circa three percent of natural gas use.

The National Energy & Climate Plan also set out the options for supporting biomethane that are under consideration which include:

- an obligation in the transport sector through the Biofuels Obligation Scheme;

- a new obligation in the heat sector; and

- an exchequer funded support.

My Department has carried out public consultations in relation to obligations in the transport and heat sectors and is currently considering how best way to support the development of biomethane in line with the indicative target set in the National Energy and Climate Plan.