Plans lodged to build digester near Drum

Plans have been lodged to build a multi-million euro anaerobic digestion facility in rural County Monaghan near the border with County Cavan.

Stream BioEnergy Ireland Limited has applied for a 10-year renewable biogas plant and associated road improvements on a site of approximately 6.2 hectares located immediately west of the R189 and south of the L2280, within the townlands of Maghernakelly, Drumcall, and Drumgole, near Drum.

It follows a proposal for a similar facility at nearby Cootehill in the name of CycleØ to build a 40 GWh anaerobic digester. That announcement marked the birth of the ‘Cootehill Bioconcern Group’, with planning permission for that project as yet outstanding.

The Drum proposal seeks to directly address poultry manure management challenges in Monaghan, where approximately 255,217 tonnes of poultry manure is produced annually, much of which has historically been transported outside the county, generating additional CO2 emissions. Once operational, the proposed plant is expected to be capable of generating renewable biogas from up to 99,000 tonnes per annum of poultry manure, supplemented with other biodegradable agricultural and agri-food organic materials, using AD technology.

The project site comprises two parcels totalling 8.8 hectares, with the primary biogas plant occupying 6.2 hectares and the soil relocation area covering 2.6 hectares.

The proposed facility will comprise several buildings and structures to provide for functions including administration, processing, storage and distribution, power, control and plant - details of which are on the public planning file.

According to the submission, the main process building would be tiered to reduce perceived scale; while the CHP building, dryer building and pellet hall would be clustered to reflect rural agricultural typologies.

Car parking for 35 vehicles, including three EV spaces and two accessible spaces, along with covered cycle storage for five bicycles, is proposed adjacent to the administration building.

HGV traffic will use dedicated turning and loading areas, entering and leaving the site in a forward gear.

The proposed plant, if permitted, would generate renewable energy by converting biodegradable materials into biomethane, which will be upgraded on-site and injected into the national gas transmission network approximately 3.5 km south at Cootehill.

15,000 tonnes

This process claims to replace up to 15,000 tonnes of biogenic CO2 annually for industrial use and the facility is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 42,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent per year, equivalent to removing around 9,000 cars from the road.

The plant will be connected to the national gas grid via a new underground pipeline constructed within the public road corridor by Gas Networks Ireland under permitted development rights.

Water supply will be sourced from Kilkitt Water Treatment Plant, with upgrades anticipated to be completed by 2030, aligning with the plant’s operational timeline.

Consultation with the Drumgole Group Water Scheme also confirmed the feasibility of connection.

Local road improvements are proposed to the L2280 to accommodate increased HGV traffic, including carriageway widening, strengthening, and resurfacing. Road assessments have been carried out to ensure safe two-way HGV movements and compliance with Monaghan County Council standards. The development also includes measures to manage surface water and foul water on-site, with treatment systems designed to prevent environmental impacts.

The Renewable Biogas Plant would operate under an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Industrial Emissions Licence. Electrical supply will connect to the local 10 kV network, with the facility’s backup power demand estimated at approximately 500 kVA.

Screening for Appropriate Assessment confirms no likely significant effects on European sites.