Nephin Energy affiliate Nephin Renewable Gas sign MOU with Gas Networks Ireland

Nephin Renewable Gas, Ireland’s leading biomethane development company, is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gas Networks Ireland. This aims to accelerate the development and integration of biomethane production into Ireland’s gas network, contributing to the decarbonisation of the gas network and advancing the country’s climate action targets.

Nephin Renewable Gas is the first biomethane development company to sign this type of MOU with Gas Networks Ireland.

Biomethane is a carbon-neutral renewable gas made from farm and food waste through a process known as anaerobic digestion. The government’s recently published National Biomethane Strategy is committed to supporting delivery of up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030 – equal to 10% of current gas demand.

The new MoU outlines the collaborative engagement that will take place between Gas Networks Ireland and Nephin Renewable Gas to efficiently connect Nephin Renewable Gas’s biomethane plants into Gas Networks Ireland’s gas network. Gas Networks Ireland will support Nephin Renewable Gas by providing connections to the gas network, enabling the direct injection of biomethane into the gas grid.

Additionally, the MoU commits both parties to explore further engagement on how Nephin Renewable Gas can access the Centralised Grid Injection Facility (CGI), which Gas Networks Ireland turned the sod on with Tánaiste Micheál Martin in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork last week, and other locations nationwide.

These facilities will allow biomethane producers, even those not located near the gas network, to inject their biomethane into the network at centralised points.

The MoU also details Gas Networks Ireland's commitment to addressing regulatory, access and consent issues associated with connecting to the gas grid in an efficient and timely manner. Gas Networks Ireland will also collaborate with Nephin Renewable Gas to standardise, where possible, the design and safety requirements for grid access. Furthermore, Gas Networks Ireland will ensure adequate resourcing of relevant teams to expedite the delivery of these grid connection projects.

Tom O’Brien, Group Chief Executive of Nephin Energy, commented: “Injecting biomethane directly into the gas grid is the fastest and most efficient way to decarbonise Ireland’s gas network and help Ireland achieve its climate action targets. Our ambition is to be Ireland’s leading biomethane development company. We are excited to be the first company to sign this type of MoU with Gas Networks Ireland. This collaboration not only supports our business goals but also benefits the rural communities in which we operate by providing new revenue streams for farmers and generating new employment opportunities locally.”

Cathal Marley, Chief Executive Officer of Gas Networks Ireland welcomed the joint agreement: “Part of Gas Networks Ireland’s strategy is focussed on supporting increased biomethane injection across the gas network. Our recently published Pathways to a Net Zero Carbon Network aims to have 38% biomethane flowing through our pipes by 2040. We look forward to working closely with the company in the months and years ahead.”