‘How we’ll turn cattle slurry into gas fuel’

THERE’S money in muck, goes the old saying, and a new plan to extract gas fuel from cow slurry proves the old adage is true.

Gas Networks Ireland estimates it can produce €275million a year in gas and offer a major boost to the farming sector through a new plan that would heat one million homes and produce bio-fuel for 15% of trucks.

The company believes as much as a fifth of the gas supply in the country could be sourced from farms in just over ten years’ time and half by 2050, with farmers being encouraged to group together in co-op style businesses to collect the gas and supply it to the national network.

The process would see anaerobic digesters placed on farms which would break down animal waste, slurry and grass into gas which would then be collected and fed into the national grid.

It is envisaged that the scheme will be run by farmers who will be paid for the gas they produce, providing an extra source of income.

It is not known yet if gas from slurry will means cheaper bills for customers. Gas Networks’ head of Commercial and Corporate Affairs Ian O’Flynn said: ‘It is too early to understand the impact on consumers.

‘Importantly, as renewable gas will go towards both renewable energy and emissions targets, it will reduce the fines payable to the EU for failure to meet our environmental obligations. Ireland is facing fines of up to €500million per annum from 2020.’