Thursday, 16 October 2025
€50m Monasterevin Biomethane Plant to Connect Directly to National Gas Network Gas Networks Ireland has announced a partnership with Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises to connect a new €50 million biomethane plant in Monasterevin, Co Kildare directly to Ireland’s national gas network, marking a significant step forward in the country’s National Biomethane Strategy. Turning Distillery Byproducts into […]
Gas Networks Ireland has announced a partnership with Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises to connect a new €50 million biomethane plant in Monasterevin, Co Kildare directly to Ireland’s national gas network, marking a significant step forward in the country’s National Biomethane Strategy.
The new facility, currently under construction, will use anaerobic digestion technology to convert up to 100,000 tonnes of byproducts from Ireland’s distilling industry, including spent grains, into renewable biomethane gas.
Once operational, the plant will produce up to 100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of biomethane per year, enough to heat more than 8,000 homes. It is also expected to reduce Ireland’s carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 18,500 tonnes annually.
“By transforming spent grains and agricultural residues into clean, renewable gas, we’re closing the loop and creating real value for the local community,” said Patrick Meade, Director of Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises.
Biomethane is a carbon-neutral, renewable alternative to natural gas. It is structurally identical to conventional natural gas and can be used seamlessly in Ireland’s existing gas infrastructure across heating, power generation, industry, and transport.
“This project represents a major investment in the sustainable management of byproducts and renewable energy,” Meade added. “Our integrated greenhouse will showcase the potential of anaerobic digestion, not just as a renewable energy source, but as a driver of innovation, food security and environmental stewardship.”
Ireland’s National Biomethane Strategy, set to drive biomethane production to 5.7 TWh per year by 2030, aims to decarbonise sectors like agriculture, transport, and heat, areas traditionally difficult to electrify. The Monasterevin project is one of the first large-scale steps in meeting these targets, serving as a proof-of-concept for future facilities. As more plants come online, Ireland will edge closer to meeting its EU renewable energy obligations and climate commitments.
Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) is working to decarbonise the national energy system by enabling projects like the one in Monasterevin.
“Biomethane is a proven, scalable solution that can immediately reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry, transport and heating,” said Karen Doyle, GNI’s Head of Business Development.
“As Ireland’s renewable gas sector accelerates, projects like this one in Monasterevin highlight the enormous potential of biomethane to deliver clean energy, rural jobs and sustainable growth.”
The Monasterevin plant is expected to create up to 75 direct and indirect local jobs throughout its construction and operational phases, with the possibility for future expansion as demand for renewable gas grows.
Projects like the Monasterevin biomethane plant highlight how agriculture and energy sectors can work together to support climate goals. By using agricultural byproducts like spent grains, the plant not only reduces waste but also provides farmers and distillers with an alternative revenue stream. This model demonstrates a circular economy in action, where waste from one industry becomes fuel for another, paving the way for more sustainable food and energy systems.
The project is being developed by Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises, which is owned by Patrick Meade and Katarzyna Kubizna through the holding company Evergreen K&P Holdings.
While the Monasterevin facility is a flagship project, its design offers a template for replication in other rural communities across Ireland. With proper investment, support schemes, and grid access, dozens of similar plants could be developed, each tailored to the local availability of organic waste. This could form a nationwide network of decentralized renewable gas hubs, boosting local economies while cutting emissions.
Renewable gas production helps reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels.
Biomethane projects support the circular economy by turning industry byproducts into clean energy.
Facilities like Monasterevin contribute to Ireland’s ambition to achieve 5.7 TWh of biomethane production annually by 2030.
The direct connection of Evergreen’s €50 million Monasterevin biomethane plant to the national gas grid is a milestone in Ireland’s transition to cleaner energy. With measurable benefits in carbon reduction, rural employment, and energy resilience, the project is an example of how innovative partnerships can drive Ireland toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.
Despite the promise of biomethane, the sector faces several challenges:
Grid access limitations in rural areas
Upfront capital costs for anaerobic digestion infrastructure
Policy and regulatory clarity around feed-in tariffs and incentives
Public understanding and potential opposition to energy infrastructure
Addressing these through government support, clear policy frameworks, and community engagement will be essential for the sector’s success.
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