Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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165. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when planning guidelines will be put in place as part of the national biomethane strategy for biogas plants. [35316/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the agreed sectoral emissions ceilings, Government has committed to supporting the production of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane annually by 2030. A first step to realising this ambition was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy which sets out 25 key strategic actions and outlines the necessary supports needed to drive growth across the biomethane sector. Chaired by my Department, the Biomethane Implementation Group will oversee delivery of the strategy.

While Anaerobic Digestors (AD), used to produce biomethane, can bring significant benefits to the communities and local environment in which they are located, they are also significant infrastructure, with impacts on the environment, biospheres, and local communities. Priority deliverables under the strategy include actions 5f and 5g which will see the development of planning guidelines to support Local Authorities when assessing AD plants with planning applications, and a review of resourcing requirements of key Government Agencies to support development of the industry. These actions will be delivered through collaboration among key Departments and Agencies.

Finally, it is my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage who has responsibility for the overall development of national planning policy and legislation which includes the appropriate setback rules for AD facilities. AD and other integrated assets are required to undergo a planning process to ensure proper consideration of a range of factors, including location, visual impact, land-zoning plans, and ecology. Guidelines and requirements for these are currently set out through legislation, policy documents, spatial strategies, and development plans. Projects above a certain threshold are also required to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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166. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government whether the targets under the national biomethane strategy, which aims to have approximately 200 anaerobic digestion plants and 5.7Twh of renewable gas in place by 2030, are realistic. [35317/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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To assist in the achievement of our national and EU climate and energy targets, the Government has committed to supporting the production of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane annually by 2030. Delivery of this target, and the use of biomethane within our energy system will have multiple cross-sectoral benefits for Ireland’s economy, energy security and emissions profile. A first step to realising this ambition was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy which was published in May 2024. The strategy sets out a pathway to achieving Ireland’s biomethane production target, addresses the challenges that need to be overcome, and outlines the necessary supports and policy enablers needed to drive growth across the sector.

Implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy is an ongoing process of collaboration across key Government Departments and Agencies.

A Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, has been established to oversee implementation of the strategy and delivery of the 25 key strategic actions to ensure the necessary infrastructure and supports are in place to underpin development of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale.

The Group reports directly to the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce on ongoing progress, and continues to engage with action owners and key stakeholders to finalise a full progress report.

The report, to be published shortly on Gov.ie, will provide an update on key deliverables including publication of the Biomethane Charter, and development of the Biomethane Information Hub and Communications Strategy.