Cork energy plant in Little Island will heat 6,000 homes

Gas Networks Ireland has signed an agreement with Stream BioEnergy to connect a new €80m biomethane plant in Cork to the national gas grid.

The facility, which is currently under construction in Little Island, is expected to become operational in 2027 and will process approximately 90,000 tonnes of domestic and commercial food and garden waste per year.

Using anaerobic digestion technology, the plant will produce 80 GWh of renewable biomethane on an annual basis, which, according to Gas Networks Ireland, is enough renewable gas to meet the annual heating demand of approximately 6,000 homes.

The project will be Ireland’s largest biomethane plant, using mixed food and garden waste, and represents a significant step forward in the country’s transition to renewable energy and circular waste management.

Head of business development at Gas Networks Ireland, Karen Doyle said this agreement with Stream BioEnergy marks “another important milestone in the development of Ireland’s renewable gas sector”.

“Biomethane has a vital role to play in supporting Ireland’s transition to a lower-carbon energy system while also delivering sustainable solutions for organic waste management,” said Ms Doyle.

“Connecting facilities such as this to the national gas network demonstrates how existing infrastructure can support Ireland’s climate action targets, energy security and circular economy ambitions.” 

 By injecting renewable biomethane directly into the national gas network, the facility will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and artificial fertilisers while supporting Ireland’s decarbonisation ambitions.

The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to removing around 17,000 cars from Irish roads.

Chief operating officer at Stream BioEnergy, Morgan Burke said the project in Little Island will provide for sustainable management of organic waste, enhance energy security, whilst contributing to our energy transition and decarbonisation targets.

The Little Island facility will be the seventh biomethane production plant to connect to the national gas network in the last three years, with further contracts currently at an advanced stage of discussion.