Stream BioEnergy Ltd has begun construction of an €80 million biomethane facility in Little Island, Cork, set to become Ireland’s largest plant dedicated to processing municipal food and garden waste.
The facility, due to become operational in 2027, will process up to 90,000 tonnes of domestic and commercial food and garden waste each year. The company said the plant will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually while delivering more than 80 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable biomethane to the Irish national gas grid.
The development is expected to play a significant role in supporting Ireland’s 2030 climate commitments under the Government’s National Biomethane Strategy. In addition to producing renewable gas to replace fossil fuels in sectors such as heating and transport, the plant will generate sustainable biofertilisers by recycling nutrients from food waste, supporting more sustainable farming and food production.
Major contractors and partners involved
The project is being delivered under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Kanadevia Inova AG — formerly known as Hitachi Zosen Inova — alongside Coffey Group, one of Ireland’s largest construction firms.
Bord Gáis Energy, part of Centrica plc, has secured the gas off-take contract, while several national and regional waste collection companies are expected to supply feedstock to the plant.
Funding for the development has been provided by Pioneer Infrastructure Partners SCSp and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, following a recent portfolio-level debt raise exceeding €75 million. Kanadevia Inova has also taken a minority stake in the project.
Local economic impact
A significant portion of the €80 million capital investment will be spent with local civil, mechanical and electrical contractors. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate around €4 million in annual local expenditure, supporting ongoing economic activity in the region.
More than 100 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, with over 20 permanent operational roles at the facility, alongside additional employment opportunities across the supply chain.
Call for progress on renewable heat policy
Commenting on the project, Kevin Fitzduff, co-founder of Stream BioEnergy, said the development marked an important milestone for Ireland’s decarbonisation efforts.
“At a time when Ireland is under enormous pressure to decarbonise its heat and transport sectors, we are proud to have started construction on one of Ireland’s largest biomethane facilities and welcome the support from investors, commercial counterparties, Cork County Council, the local community and other stakeholders,” he said.
“This project will significantly contribute to Ireland’s decarbonisation efforts and make the country a more energy-secure place to live and conduct business.”
He also urged the Irish Government and the European Commission to reach agreement on the proposed Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO), warning that delays could affect the growth of Ireland’s biomethane sector.
“There is now a clear need for the Irish Government and the European Commission to swiftly reach agreement on the RHO so that the future of Ireland’s biomethane sector is protected and can grow over the long term,” he said.
“We are calling for a practical solution that ensures only truly unsubsidised biomethane is eligible for import into Ireland, preventing historically subsidised European supply from undermining Irish-produced biomethane.”
Expansion across Ireland and the UK
The Little Island project marks a key milestone in Stream BioEnergy’s wider expansion strategy across Ireland and the UK. Alongside its existing operational plants in Northern Ireland and Scotland, the company said the new facility strengthens its position as a leading developer and operator of renewable gas infrastructure across both markets.
Stream BioEnergy begins construction of Ireland’s largest food and garden waste biomethane plant
