Duleek biomethane plant due for completion next year

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, has announced that it will transition to biomethane to provide 100 per cent of its heating needs at its Dublin and Athlone sites, making it the first pharmaceutical company in the country to fully embrace this sustainable energy source to fuel the research, development and manufacturing of medicines.

This landmark initiative will be achieved through a fifteen-year partnership with Carbon AMS, a leading biomethane producer and will contribute to the Company’s flagship decarbonisation programme, Ambition Zero Carbon.

This agreement is the first large-scale biomethane contract with ‘additionality’ in Ireland, meaning the project will add renewable capacity to Ireland’s national gas grid.

Biomethane will be sourced from a new state-of-the-art plant strategically located in Duleek, Co Meath—approximately 30km from Alexion’s College Park site and 120km from its Athlone operations—and will use grass silage obtained through long-term contracts with local farmers.

Construction of the Duleek facility is expected to be completed, and the first supply of biomethane generated to sites, in 2026.