Friday, 10 October 2025
A significant renewable energy development is being proposed for the Birdhill area of County Tipperary. Annaholty Green Energy Limited has submitted a planning application to Tipperary County Council for a large-scale biogas facility that would utilise anaerobic digestion technology to convert agricultural waste into renewable biomethane gas. If approved, the facility would support Ireland’s transition […]
A significant renewable energy development is being proposed for the Birdhill area of County Tipperary. Annaholty Green Energy Limited has submitted a planning application to Tipperary County Council for a large-scale biogas facility that would utilise anaerobic digestion technology to convert agricultural waste into renewable biomethane gas.
If approved, the facility would support Ireland’s transition to more sustainable energy sources, provide a circular economy use for agricultural by-products, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Submitted on October 2, the application is currently at the pre-validation stage. The developers are seeking a 10-year permission to construct the plant at Thornhill and Annaholty, Birdhill. The facility would process up to 50,000 tonnes per annum of agricultural feedstocks, including farmyard manure, slurries, poultry litter, and silage.
The proposed development includes the following infrastructure:
Two primary anaerobic digesters (18.5m high)
One secondary digester-storage tank and one digestate storage tank (both 16.5m high)
Two manure reception tanks (12m high)
Additional tanks for processing and storage, including pasteurisation and cooling tanks
A feedstock reception hall (1,800 sqm) with air filtration
An underground mixing tank, pump room, and silage clamps
Offices, laboratories, a workshop, and a two-storey administration building
CHP units, a biomethane upgrade unit, a carbon dioxide capture unit, and LPG tanks
A Gas Networks Ireland compound, for connecting to the local gas grid
Infrastructure for fire safety and water management, including a firewater retention pond and infiltration basin
Boundary treatments, tree felling for site development, and a new access point from the local road
The proposed site lies near the M7 motorway, approximately 3.5 km from Junction 27. The River Shannon is about 2.1 km to the northwest, and the area is surrounded by mixed woodland. The closest residential dwelling is around 70 metres from the proposed entrance.
The project is being led by Annaholty Green Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Greensource Limited, which has over 20 years of experience in renewable energy projects, including Ireland’s first commercial-scale anaerobic digestion plant in Shanagolden, Co Limerick, established in 2010.
According to the environmental report submitted by Malone O’Regan Environmental Consultants, the proposed facility would support Ireland’s climate objectives by:
Producing renewable biomethane
Generating bio-fertiliser from the digestion process
Enabling carbon dioxide capture
The upgraded biomethane will be injected directly into the Gas Networks Ireland pipeline, allowing it to be used across sectors such as heating, transport, power generation, and industry.
The applicant intends to source feedstocks within a 50 km radius where feasible, supporting local agricultural producers and reducing transport emissions. The use of digestate as a fertiliser further contributes to the circular economy, closing the loop between agricultural production and energy generation.
Ireland has significant untapped potential in the biogas sector. According to the European Commission’s REPowerEU plan, biomethane is expected to play a crucial role in helping member states reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, particularly Russian natural gas.
The EU has set a target of 35 billion cubic metres of biomethane by 2030, and Ireland’s agricultural landscape positions it well to contribute. Projects like the proposed Birdhill facility are key to scaling up production. However, as of 2025, biomethane accounts for less than 1% of Ireland’s gas supply, meaning there is both a policy imperative and growth opportunity.
Investing in local anaerobic digestion infrastructure not only aligns with EU goals but can secure financial support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other green transition funds.
The deadline for public submissions is November 5.
A decision from Tipperary County Council is expected by November 26.
Public and regulatory scrutiny will now determine whether the project meets environmental, community, and planning standards necessary for approval.
The proposed link between the Birdhill plant and Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) infrastructure is a critical aspect. As Ireland seeks to decarbonise heat and transport, green gas injection points become strategic infrastructure.
The National Biomethane Strategy, due for full implementation by 2026, will likely define:
Standardised grid access procedures
Incentive frameworks for producers
Certification schemes for renewable gas (Guarantees of Origin)
Birdhill could become a flagship injection site, showcasing the viability of rural biomethane production connected to the national grid, a cornerstone of Ireland’s renewable gas roadmap.
The proposed anaerobic digestion facility near Birdhill represents a significant potential investment in Ireland’s renewable energy infrastructure. By producing biomethane from locally sourced agricultural materials, the project aims to reduce emissions, support energy independence, and provide economic benefits to the region.
As the planning process continues, residents, environmental groups, and industry stakeholders will have an opportunity to weigh in. If approved, the facility could become a key contributor to Ireland’s clean energy transition.
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