By replacing 12% of current natural gas consumption with biomethane, Ireland can save 2.6m tonnes of CO2 per annum and create over 3,000 jobs by 2030.

This was one of the key messages from members of the Renewable Gas Forum of Ireland (RGFI) who presented their case for biomenthane to be included in Ireland’s energy mix to the Joint Committee on Climate Action this week.

Donal Dennehy, director of Danone Ireland (RGFI member), raised concerns that the figures used in the Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) analysis in the Climate Action Plan were incorrect which suggest that biomethane was not cost effective.

It estimated biomethane at a cost of €377/t of CO2 abated.

However, RGFI’s analysis put this cost range at between €78 and €150/t CO2 abatement. See more in this week's renewables focus here.