Minister Archibald visits Tully Biogas Plant in Ballymena to highlight renewable energy potential

Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister, with Kevin Fitzduff of Stream BioEnergy at the Tully Biogas Plant, Ballymena. (Image: Dr Gareth Mottram)

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has visited the award-winning Tully Biogas Plant in Ballymena to see first-hand how renewable energy technology is driving economic development and reducing environmental impact across Northern Ireland.

Operated by Stream BioEnergy, the facility is one of the first in the world to run solely on chicken litter at scale.

Each year it processes 40,000 tonnes of poultry waste through anaerobic digestion (AD), producing 3MW of renewable electricity – enough to power 6,000 homes – while cutting pollution and supporting the region’s circular economy.

Following her visit on Wednesday, 10 September, Dr Archibald said:

“I welcome the opportunity to engage with ADBA on the economic and environmental potential of the anaerobic digestion sector, and how it aligns with my vision for a fairer, greener, and more innovative economy.

“The technologies being deployed here show how environmental sustainability and economic ambition can work hand in hand to deliver meaningful impact. Anaerobic digestion offers significant potential to address our energy and climate challenges, while supporting regional balance and long-term economic development.”

Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister, with Kevin Fitzduff of Stream BioEnergy at the Tully Biogas Plant, Ballymena. (Image: Dr Gareth Mottram)

Kevin Fitzduff, Managing Director of Stream BioEnergy, said the visit was a chance to highlight how the Ballymena plant is delivering real benefits.

“We are delighted to showcase the award-winning Tully Biogas Plant to Minister Archibald. This facility demonstrates the exciting potential of the emerging circular economy in Northern Ireland – transforming organic waste into clean energy and valuable by-products.

“It is a great opportunity to highlight how our projects deliver real environmental, economic and community benefits here in the Ballymena area and beyond.”

Dr Archibald was joined by representatives from the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), the UK trade body advocating for greater government support to help the sector expand and contribute to the UK’s Net Zero transition.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister, with Kevin Fitzduff of Stream BioEnergy and Department for the Economy staff members Jimmy Graham and Richard Rodgers at the Tully Biogas Plant, Ballymena. (Image: Dr Gareth Mottram)

ADBA Chair and former Energy Secretary Chris Huhne emphasised the importance of biogas as a reliable renewable energy source:

“Biogas is a cornerstone of renewable energy, because it is available all year round even when the sun is not shining and the wind has died down. With the right policies, AD can help the government and the country as a whole reach its net zero and levelling up goals.

“Not only does AD significantly contribute towards reducing greenhouse gases emissions, it also helps cut household energy bills and offers green jobs across the country.

“Biogas really is the low regret solution the government must get behind to enable us to turn our organic waste into a valuable resource to power our homes, businesses and the wider economy.”

ADBA recently published research suggesting that wider deployment of anaerobic digestion could save the UK almost £300 billion in the journey to net zero by 2050.

How Anaerobic digestion works: AD is the natural breakdown of organic matter when deprived of oxygen in a container called digester. The process produces biogas and a residue called digestate - a stable, nutrient-rich substance used as a biofertiliser which restores soil health.

About Tully Biogas Plant

• Processes 40,000 tonnes of chicken litter annually

• Generates 3MW of renewable electricity – enough for 6,000 homes

• Reduces nutrient pollution risks to soil, water and air

• Awarded multiple industry honours for innovation in waste-to-energy solutions

With more than 750 AD plants already operating across the UK, the sector currently processes around 36 million tonnes of organic waste each year, cutting 1% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Industry projections suggest that by 2050, biogas could provide up to 50% of the UK’s gas demand, create 60,000 jobs, and remove the equivalent of a third of all cars from UK roads.