Debate contribution: Energy, Food and Environmental Security: Biomethane

Debate contribution by Ms Liz Kimmins on 20 April 2026.

MLA

Ms Liz Kimmins

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

20 April 2026

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Energy, Food and Environmental Security: Biomethane

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5494242

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

I will focus my remarks on the elements that are within the remit of the Minister for the Economy, whilst also acknowledging the importance of compatible agriculture and environmental policy, on which our colleague the AERA Minister leads. Decarbonisation is integral to the Economy Minister's economic vision. Reducing carbon emissions is vital if we are to meet legislative targets, remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy and leave a positive legacy for future generations. It is an economic, environmental and moral imperative. Recent global events have reinforced the need for us to take greater control of our energy future. Continued exposure to international fossil fuel markets leaves our economy vulnerable to price volatility and geopolitical shocks. That is why the Economy Minister is focused on delivering the Executive's energy strategy vision of affordable, renewable energy, paying a fair price for the energy that we produce locally and disconnecting our energy costs from volatile global commodity prices. The strategy recognises that biomethane could play an important role in that journey by providing a locally produced, sustainable and secure energy source to decarbonise heating and industrial processes. Our region has strong foundations when it comes to biomethane. We have a modern gas network, experience with anaerobic digestion technologies and clear legislative drivers to increase the share of renewable energy in the system. The motion highlights how biomethane cuts across energy, agriculture and environmental policy. Effective policy development in that area therefore requires close collaboration across Departments. That is why the Department for the Economy is working with DAERA and the Utility Regulator through the interdepartmental biomethane group (IDBG). The group was relaunched last year to provide a renewed focus and renewed coordination on the issue. It works to bring together expertise across energy, agriculture and environmental policy and is key to the Department's developing a holistic biomethane policy. Some Members talked about the need to consult on the support mechanisms that may be considered. I can confirm that a consultation on a cross-departmental biomethane policy is planned for later this year. As well as that, the IDBG is analysing potential support mechanisms for biomethane producers across the North. Although locally produced biomethane can displace the need to import natural gas, it is important that biomethane production be done in a way that protects our environment. For example, it is important that biomethane production do not increase waste production here for anaerobic digestion feedstock or, worse still, import waste for processing here. One of the unavoidable by-products of how we do anaerobic digestion here is liquid digestate, which is rich in phosphorous and other problematic nutrient content. We have all seen the impact of liquid digestate on our waterways, caused in part by run-off issues, so we must be realistic about the volume of biomethane that can be produced here in an environmentally sustainable way. That emphasises the importance of collaboration between DAERA and the Department for the Economy to establish the right biomethane policy. The core focus of the energy strategy is on delivering self-sufficiency and affordable renewable energy for our homes and businesses. We are all aware of the effects that energy price volatility has had, and is continuing to have, on household living costs and business competitiveness. Paying a fair price for the energy that we produce locally, including biomethane, will protect the most vulnerable in our society and help end fuel poverty. Locally produced biomethane can play a role in our energy future but only as long as we can produce it at the right cost for consumers and manage the waste inputs and digestate outputs in an environmentally sustainable way. Given those challenges, it is important that we do not exaggerate the sustainable volume of biomethane that can be produced locally. Instead, we must grow its use in an environmentally sound way. In conclusion, the motion highlights the opportunity that biomethane presents in the wider context of our energy transition and economic development. We must be realistic, however, about the volume that can be produced in an economically and environmentally sustainable way. The Minister for the Economy remains committed to working constructively with our ministerial colleague in DAERA and others to ensure that the potential role of biomethane is properly considered as part of the delivery of the energy strategy and in a way that supports economic growth, protects consumers and is environmentally sustainable.

734 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:27 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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