Biomethane plant proposed for west Tipperary, with potential for dozens of jobs
Plans have been lodged with the local authority for an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in west Tipperary.
Andrew Kiely and Nephin Renewable Gas applied to Tipperary County Council for planning permission to develop the plant on a site at Ballynilard, outside Tipperary town.
The proposed plant would have three digesters, two digestate storage structures, and a liquid feed tank, and would produce biomethane, carbon dioxide and a bio-based fertiliser.
A part-single storey and part-two storey reception hall also forms part of the plans, which would house a laboratory, panel room, tool store, workshop, and storage areas, according to planning files.
Manure, slurry and feedstocks for the plant will be sourced from local farms, an agent for the developer said.
"To date, the applicants have engaged with numerous local farmers, 43 of whom have confirmed their willingness to supply feedstock to the proposed development,” the agent said.
"In exchange, many of these feedstock providers will receive biobased fertiliser produced by the facility,” they added.
The AD plant would come as part of Mr Kiely’s farm diversification, which he is changing from traditional suckler farming to a beef finishing unit, with the proposed plant helping to keep the farming operation financially viable, planning files say.
Nephin Renewable Gas – Ballynilard Limited is part of the Nephin Renewable Gas group of companies, based in Tipperary town, documents state, with the company’s aim to make a meaningful contribution to the decarbonisation of Ireland’s gas supply.
They are also aiming to become Ireland’s largest producer of indigenous biomethane, building on the group’s existing position as Ireland’s largest producer of domestic natural gas, according to the planning documents.
The Ballynilard plant would lead to 75 full-time jobs being created, with a local lobby group saying it would be a “boost” to the town.
Jobs for Tipp, a group who have worked with Tipperary County Council and Enterprise Ireland to renovate part of the Tipperary Town Technology Park to encourage businesses to set up in the town said that the creation of new jobs would be a positive move in a town where jobs are scarce.
"The development of a biogas facility at the outskirts of Tipperary town would be a great boost to Tipperary town and its environs, a region where employment opportunities are very scarce,” the group said in a letter in support of the application.
"A potential 70 jobs in building the facility and possibly 100 new Nephin jobs in the region is going to add hugely to the future economic prospects for Tipperary town,” they added.
The Tipperary Town Revitalisation Committee also wrote a letter in support of the application, saying that it would help to support local farmers.
"Tipperary Town Revitalisation wholeheartedly support this development that will provide significant economic benefits to the locality by creating direct employment in construction, operations and maintenance, while also supporting the local farming community and indirect jobs in supply chains and logistics,” they said.
No objections have been lodged to date, but the application remains open for public submissions.
Tipperary County Council is expected to make a decision on the application by March 15.