Tomato grower MF Nurseries or Flynn's Irish Tomatoes has switched to the renewable gas biomethane in a new trial project with Gas Networks Ireland.
The firm trades as Flynn's Irish Tomatoes and says it “continues to lead the way in agrifood sustainability” by switching from growing its red tomatoes with natural gas to renewable gas in its greenhouse system. MF Nurseries will receive formal certification from Gas Networks Ireland to show that the gas it is using is from renewable sources.
The renewable gas, known as biomethane, is a carbon-neutral gas being produced from farm and food waste by Green Generation in Nurney, Co Kildare, and injected into the national gas network via a dedicated renewable gas entry point in Cush, Co Kildare.
Managing director Michael Flynn said that introducing renewable gas into the food production process allows the company to deliver on its business sustainability objectives.
He said: “The food production and agrifood sector are energy intensive sectors by nature, and our customers want to see the steps we are taking to reduce our carbon footprint. This is coupled with growing pressure from major retailers who want to see real movement and effort to reduce emissions across the supply chain.
“In 2020, we undertook a major investment programme and as part of carbon reduction plans within the redevelopment of our business, we built a connection to the national gas network.
“Following great success and positive engagement with Gas Networks Ireland, we are delighted to trial the renewable gas as another way to demonstrate our eagerness to future proofing our business and reduce carbon emissions, now and into the future.
“Switching to natural gas – and now to renewable gas - in tandem with our own natural carbon-capture process, is helping us to achieve that in a very organic way.”
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According to Flynn, “almost 90% of MF Nurseries’ carbon emissions are captured and absorbed by the tomato plants in our greenhouse system. The renewable gas will offset the remaining 10%”.
GNI commercial sales manager Sean Crowley added: “There has been significant growth in demand from businesses looking to source sustainable and indigenous fuel alternatives.
“Introducing renewable gas through the natural gas connection means MF Nurseries is already set up to be powered by renewable gas. Using biomethane requires minimal investment in new infrastructure, as it can be transported through the existing gas network, one of the safest and most modern in Europe.
“By gradually replacing natural gas with renewable and carbon neutral gases such as biomethane and hydrogen, businesses like MF Nurseries can be powered by increasingly cleaner energy.”
Gas Networks Ireland is responsible both for supervision and issuing guarantees of origin for renewable gases under new EU regulations. Each certificate is its guarantee that the equivalent amount of renewable gas has been injected into the gas network.
MF Nurseries was established in 2014 and now employs 25 people across a range of disciplines.
The company is a major supplier of tomatoes and will deliver more than 10 million packs to Aldi stores over a period of five years, with a range of varieties. It was established in 2014 and employs 25 people.
There’s more information about GNI’s biomethane programme here.
