Landfills are common sources of methane, which is produced as waste decomposes.

Landfills are common sources of methane, which is produced as waste decomposes.

THE GAS PRODUCED from a landfill site in Co Kildare is to be used to create ‘green power’ for 14,000 nearby homes, under plans announced today.

Bord na Móna is to develop a ‘landfill gas’ power plant at the Drehid landfill near Allenwood, creating 25 construction roles and three or four permanent roles when the construction is finished.

The plant will exploit the gases generated by rotting waste in the landfill site, and convert it to a cleaner form of energy which can then be used in more traditional ways.

The gas generated by decomposition of organic waste is produced continually, and burned on a sporadic basis for safety reasons.

Bord na Móna said it believed the plant would produce 5.6 megawatts of renewable power – less than one fifteenth of the power generating capacity of Ireland’s largest hydroelectric power plant in Ardnacrusha, but enough to supply power to 14,000 local homes.

“This is a very exciting project for the company,” said Bord na Móna’s head of resource recovery, John Daly.

“Apart from the economic benefits, this energy project at Drehid will substantially reduce emissions of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas when released directly into the atmosphere,” he said.

Daly said the company was particularly happy about being able to offer employment in the Allenwood community, where it has operated for nearly 80 years.