Ireland’s Biomethane Grant Scheme has entered a new phase, with the Expression of Interest (EOI) portal now open to prospective developers. Interested parties must submit responses by 5pm on Friday, 30 October 2026.
The initiative is being led by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and is designed to help shape a future capital-support programme for biomethane projects across Ireland. The Government has secured up to €200 million for a second round of capital grants through the updated National Development Plan.
Biomethane Grant Scheme supports Ireland’s energy targets
The Biomethane Grant Scheme is intended to support progress towards Ireland’s target of producing up to 5.7 terawatt-hours of indigenous biomethane annually. Biomethane can contribute to energy security while helping reduce emissions, particularly when produced from suitable organic feedstocks.
The EOI process is aimed at gathering early-stage information from potential developers. This will allow the Department to improve the design and delivery of the formal funding process.
Information requested from prospective developers
Applicants are being asked to provide high-level details about possible projects, including:
- Proposed project location
- Technology and feedstocks
- Expected biomethane production
- Estimated capital requirements
- Project development and readiness status
EOI deadline and application process
Prospective developers can complete the submission online through the DCEE Biomethane Capital Grant Support Scheme portal. The closing deadline is 5pm on Friday, 30 October 2026. Enquiries can be sent to BiomethaneStrategyImplementation@dcee.gov.ie.
Submitting an EOI is encouraged but not compulsory. Developers who do not complete an EOI will not automatically be excluded from the later formal application process.
Important conditions for applicants
The publication of the EOI does not represent an offer of funding. It also does not confirm that a project will qualify for financial support. Any future award will depend on the final scheme terms, eligibility rules, available funding, applicable State aid requirements and public expenditure controls.
Detailed eligibility conditions will be released with the formal application process. Developers will then be able to assess their proposals against the published requirements before submitting a funding application.
What happens after the EOI stage?
The Department will review the information received confidentially and use it solely to refine the scheme and formal application arrangements. Following that review, the formal application process is expected to begin in the weeks ahead.
Those who submit an EOI, along with interested parties who register at a later stage, will receive information about the next steps and access to the digital application portal when it becomes available.
What the biomethane scheme means for Ireland
The planned funding round could provide a clearer pathway for developers working on renewable gas infrastructure, anaerobic digestion and related energy projects. However, the current EOI is an information-gathering exercise rather than a funding approval process.
Key takeaway: the Biomethane Grant Scheme gives Ireland’s prospective developers an opportunity to inform the design of a major capital-support programme, but all projects will still need to satisfy the final rules before funding can be considered.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
