Irish Tar switches to natural gas, RNG

Irish gas utility Gas Networks Ireland on April 19 announced that Irish Tar & Bitumen Suppliers has become the first company in its industry to make the switch from heavy fuel oil to a combination of natural and renewable natural gas (RNG). 

Irish Tar, a manufacturer of bituminous road binders for the road construction and maintenance sector in Ireland, has committed to powering 5% of its annual gas usage with carbon-neutral biomethane. 

Biomethane, a carbon-neutral renewable gas, is produced from farm and food waste through anaerobic digestion. Structurally identical to natural gas, biomethane seamlessly integrates into the national gas network, existing appliances, technologies, and vehicles. Its adoption enables emissions reduction in heating, industry, transport, and power generation, while also supporting the decarbonisation of the agri-food sector.

Gas Networks Ireland first introduced domestically produced biomethane into Ireland’s gas network in small volumes in 2019, via the country’s first renewable gas injection point in Cush and the company is currently preparing to build a second injection facility in Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

In January this year, the department of agriculture, food and the marine and the department of the environment, climate and communications co-published the Draft National Biomethane Strategy. The government then sought feedback from industry stakeholders on what supports, and policy measures would help kick start the industry. 

Gas Networks Ireland said the final National Biomethane Strategy, will be an important milestone in the decarbonisation of Ireland’s gas network in the transition to a net-zero energy system by 2050.