Planning Permission Sought for Major Biogas Renewable Energy Project in North Tipperary
Concerns about climate change drive a vital need for sustainable planning permission in renewable energy development.
Annaholty Green Energy Limited has formally applied for planning permission for a significant biogas renewable energy facility near Birdhill in north Tipperary. The proposed development features modern anaerobic digestion technology designed to produce biomethane for Ireland’s national gas grid, supporting the country’s clean energy transition.
The project includes the construction of two main anaerobic digesters, a secondary storage digester, and a digestate storage tank. It will also have two manure reception tanks, a desulphurisation unit, pasteurisation and cooling tanks, and other auxiliary infrastructure. Facilities such as a pump room equipped with air filtration, a mixing tank, and rainwater harvesting system form part of the plan, alongside offices, workshops, and a two-storey office building.
Annaholty Green Energy has a track record in renewable gas production, being affiliated with GreenGas, which operates a similar anaerobic digestion plant in Limerick. The first biogas plant was established in Shanagolden, Limerick, in 2010, contributing biomethane to the national grid. This new Tipperary plant aims to replicate that success by providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and contributing to greenhouse gas emission reductions, which are crucial in Ireland’s renewable energy strategy.
Planning permission for such developments must navigate Ireland’s environmental impact assessments, particularly considering flood-risk development concerns and compliance with material contravention rules under local planning frameworks. The project’s progress will be influenced by an An Bord Pleanála decision, which will determine its compliance with renewable energy and planning policies at a national level.
Renewable energy projects like this biogas facility are central to Ireland’s commitment to achieving climate targets by 2030, providing a much-needed boost to the renewable gas supply and rural economic development. The project underscores the importance of streamlined planning permission procedures that balance environmental safeguards with the urgency of expanding green infrastructure.
Originally reported in The Irish Independent on Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:11:14 +0000. Full story
