Northern Ireland could meet nearly half of gas demand with biomethane

Northern Ireland has sufficient feedstock potential to produce around 8 TWh of biomethane per year, enough to meet nearly half of the region’s current total gas demand. For households and businesses, this volume would exceed 100% of current gas consumption, according to a Green Gas Taskforce report.

Livestock waste could become one of the main feedstock sources. Currently, only around 2.5% of organic farm waste is used for anaerobic digestion, making the agricultural sector a key potential source for expanding biomethane production.

Anaerobic digestion also produces digestate, which can be processed into bio-based fertilisers and partly used as an alternative to imported mineral fertilisers. This could also improve nutrient management and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses.

Northern Ireland’s gas network is already technically capable of handling up to 100% biomethane. The network extends for more than 6 thsd km, and by the end of 2025 around 345 thsd properties, or about 40% of the region’s homes and businesses, were connected.

To unlock this potential, the Green Gas Taskforce is calling for long-term production support, clear biomethane targets and the removal of regulatory barriers. The report estimates that the sector could create up to 3 thsd jobs and generate around £5 bln in added value by 2050.

Tags: gas, Ireland, livestock sector, biomethane