Gas Networks Ireland seeks biomethane suppliers

In Ireland, the Irish Independent reports Gas Networks Ireland has announced plans to purchase up to 250 gigawatts of biomethane annually, marking its first foray into biomethane procurement. The company has published a Prior Information Notice on the e-tenders system to gauge supplier interest.

This move aligns with the Irish government’s policy to replace 10% of natural gas with biomethane by 2030. Biomethane, produced from farm and food waste, is a renewable energy source that reduces energy emissions. The government has allocated €40 million in capital funding to support this transition.

Following market engagement, GNI will finalize its procurement strategy, aiming to contract multiple suppliers for up to 15 years. The company needs to purchase gas yearly to account for system shrinkage and operational uses. Currently, GNI sources gas from the Corrib field and imports from Scotland, comprising 1.6% of Ireland’s total demand.

GNI is collaborating with stakeholders to expand the biomethane sector, recently signing a contract with Bia Energy to supply biomethane from its €63 million anaerobic digestion plant in Dublin. With strong interest from investors like Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the government plans to encourage the construction of 200 biomethane production plants by 2030.