Planning approval for anaerobic digester facility in south Mayo

PLANS for an anaerobic digester facility in south Mayo have been approved by Mayo County Council.

The facility, which will produce renewable biomethane, is to be located on a site within the townlands of Levally, Cappacurry and Knocknadrimna, Ballinrobe.

It is designed to accept and treat up to 90,000 tonnes per annum of predominantly locally sourced agricultural manures, slurries, food processing residues and crop-based feedstocks.

The proposed development comprises the construction of an anaerobic digestion facility to produce renewable biomethane (which will be captured), and a bio-based fertiliser from organic material.

Council planners attached a number of conditions to the grant of planning permission to the applicants, John Sheridan and Nephin Renewable Gas - Ballinrobe Limited.

Documentation submitted to the council explained how the proposed facility will take in manure/slurry, whole crop and other organic material and use this to produce renewable biomethane (a direct replacement for fossil fuel natural gas), which will be injected, via a connection to the gas network, into the grid.

It will also produce high quality bio-based fertiliser (the digestate which is an output of the anaerobic digestion process).

The overall result is a significant improvement in the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions associated with farms supplying the facility and utilising the organic fertiliser produced, which will assist in the overall viability and continued prosperity of the agricultural sector in the area.

The site is adjacent to a large-scale pig farm, a key supplier to the facility. Technology incorporated into the design means it will not give rise to negative impact on residential amenity in the area.