A new study could change the way Limerick city and county consume and emit energy.
Limerick has the potential to produce enough biomethane to replace the natural gas used by 28,000 homes, a new study has found.
According to the Biomethane Energy Report2, released by Gas Networks Ireland at the Irish Renewable Gas Conference, Limerick’s potential biomethane industry could also produce enough renewable gas to fuel any local businesses connected to the network.
Biomethane is a carbon neutral renewable gas that can be sourced from organic matter, such as food waste, agricultural waste and domestic waste. It is also structurally identical to the natural gas we currently use in our homes, and would work perfectly with the existing gas network throughout Limerick.
The introduction of the biomethane industry in Limerick could help the county reduce its carbon emissions drastically annually.
The Biomethane Energy Report findings is based on the Request for Information (RFI) that was issued by Gas Networks Ireland in October 2022.
Limerick was identified as one of the top five counties for possible high volumes of biomethane production, alongside, Cavan, Kildare, Cork and Monaghan.
The report also identified 176 projects throughout the country that have the potential to produce 26% of Ireland’s current gas demand, 14.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of biomethane per year. Gas Networks Ireland used the report to highlight their confidence in the introduction of the biomethane industry.
The belief is that if biomethane is introduced with the right policies and structures, the government’s aims to tackle carbon emissions can be successful.
