ORS was appointed by Nephin Renewable Gas (NRG) as lead environmental and planning consultant for a major anaerobic digestion (AD) and biomethane facility at Reatagh, Co. Waterford. This large-scale renewable energy development also included a c.2.5 km grid injection connection to the Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) network at Carrick-on-Suir, requiring a coordinated planning and technical strategy across multiple disciplines.
Designed to process approximately 90,000 tonnes of agricultural manures, slurries and organic residues each year, the facility will generate grid-quality biomethane capable of supplying renewable gas to 4,500 homes. The project also integrates advanced digestate treatment to produce high-value fertilisers and enables the recovery of biogenic COâ, supporting a fully circular bioeconomy model.
ORS provided a fully end-to-end service, covering project initiation and management, receptor analysis and risk assessment, preliminary site layout development, and pre-planning engagement with the Local Authority. This included preparing presentation materials, conducting site visits and investigations, and holding regular design-team meetings to ensure coordinated decision-making from the outset.
Our team produced all core planning documentation, including the Planning Statement and associated reports (prepared by JSA with ORS support), ensuring alignment with national, regional and local policies across the AD facility, grid connection and associated infrastructure.
ORS also led and coordinated a suite of specialist technical reports, including Traffic & Transport Assessment and Road Safety Audit, AA Screening and Natura Impact Statement, site investigations and site suitability, Flood Risk Assessment, Noise Assessment (Enfonic), Archaeological Assessment (Moore Group), and the Construction Environmental Management Plan.
A full 16-chapter EIAR and Non-Technical Summary was prepared by ORS, with contributions from our internal environmental, planning, civil, and transport teams, as well as external specialists in air and odour modelling, noise, archaeology, and landscape/visual assessment. The scope also included complete coordination of all technical assessments, alongside the production of a comprehensive drawing set â landscape architecture, civil engineering layouts, planning drawings, traffic drawings and a full suite of 3D visualisations.
