The biogas plant proposed for Ballymackey would help Ireland meet its required renewable energy targets and should be seen as a positive move for the local area, promoters of the project told a public meeting in Toomevara last week.
Tim Cullinan said he had put a lot of time and effort into the project, the roots of which could be traced back to 2007 when he received planning permission for a biogas plant. The local farmer said he had also spent extensive time in Europe looking at similar facilities involving anaerobic digestate treatment.
Mr Cullinan said he wanted to find a sustainable away of treating farm slurry. The 200,000 tonnes of material processed at the proposed Ballymackey facility each year would be solely based on animal biproducts supplied by farmers in the local area.
The process would remove environmentally harmful phosphates and ammonia from the material. Plans included a mobile separator, dewatering plant and a water treatment system. “This is going to be hugely beneficial in improving water quality in the area,” Mr Cullinan commented. “The proposal we have is above and beyond EPA standards.”
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