Irish Renewable Gas Conference 2026

Ciara Beausang is a Research Officer in Anaerobic Digestion with Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority. Her research interests include environmental modelling of biogas production and optimizing biogas yield from agricultural feedstocks. She has a PhD in Biosystems Engineering from University College Dublin.

Niall Farrell is Senior Research Officer at the Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI). He is an energy and environmental economist and has research interests in power systems economics and the distributional impacts of energy and climate policy. Niall has carried out research assessing the market structures required to integrate renewable energy technologies and has worked on the development of renewable energy policies that efficiently balance risk between investors and consumers. His work on distributional issues has assessed the equity and efficiency implications of electricity tariff structures in the UK, whilst also assessing the distributional impacts of renewable energy financing in Ireland. Niall is a research associate with INET Oxford and the Oxford Martin Programme on Integrating Renewable Energy. He carried out his PhD research on marine renewable energy with the Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit at the National University of Ireland, Galway. During this time he was a visiting student researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. Niall has published in The Energy Journal, Ecological Economics and Nature Energy.

Timmy Dooley TD is Minister of State with responsibility for the Marine, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. He is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Clare constituency since the 2024 general election, and previously from 2007 to 2020. He served as a Senator from 2020 to 2024. Following the 2024 General Election he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Fisheries and at the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Marine.

Padraig Fleming is Biomethane Programme Manager at Gas Networks Ireland. He is currently working on increasing the amount of renewable gas that Gas Networks Ireland transports to start the transformation of gas industry in Ireland to a sustainable energy business. He has previously worked for a number of energy companies including Ervia, Bord Gáis Energy, ESB, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

Seán Kinsella is the Principal Officer leading the Renewable Heat Delivery Division within the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The division has responsibility for funding and the development of district heating projects in Ireland. The division also leads on the implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy and the development of the Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme.

Stephen Robb is the Renewables Editor at the Irish Farmers Journal. Stephen completed his Food and Agribusiness Management undergraduate degree from UCD in 2015 and completed a Masters in Agricultural Innovation Support, with a focus on bioenergy supply chains, from Teagasc/UCD in 2017. He then joined the Irish Farmers Journal (IFJ) editorial team and over the next five years covered all aspects of the tillage, renewables and agri-innovation sector. In that time, he also led several projects exploring the feasibility of developing a farm-based anaerobic digestion industry in Ireland and virtual gas pipelines. In 2022 he took up the role of Renewables Editor at the IFJ and is also developing the Northwest Community Energy Park project.

James Temple is Renewables Manager at Flogas. He is an Energy Systems Engineer with a M.Eng in Electrical Energy Engineering. His studies revolved around the design of renewable energy technologies and their integration to the grid. He works in the Power and Renewables side of the business, having moved from the Technical Services team where he previously focused on energy efficiency projects. He manages Flogas Enterprise’s PPA portfolio in ROI and NI with a focus on developing relationships to enhance the services and expertise Flogas Enterprise can offer to the energy industry.

Brian Carroll is the Assistant Secretary leading on Built Environment; Retrofit and Heat Policy at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications where key priorities include: the National Retrofit Programme; the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme; the Energy Efficiency Directive; the Renewable Energy Directive; Public Sector Energy Efficiency; and Renewable Heat Policy. Brian joined the Department in 2008, and within the Department has worked previously as Assistant Secretary General for Environment and Climate Action and for Natural Resources, Head of Decarbonisation and Head of Finance, Strategy and Corporate Affairs. He has wide experience across the public service, having also worked in the Departments of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Justice.

Katja Yafimava is Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. She holds a D.Phil. in Geography and an M.Phil. in Russian and East European Studies from Oxford University. Dr Yafimava has been an expert at the UNECE Group of Experts on Gas since January 2015 and was an expert at the EU-Russia Gas Advisory Council during 2012-16. She has also written for Carnegie Moscow Center, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) and Italian Institute of International Affairs (IAI) as well as commented for various international media.

David Sutton recently joined Bord na Móna as Strategic Partnerships Manager and is responsible for developing the range of partnerships necessary to drive BnM’s energy pipeline, with particular emphasis on Eco-Energy Parks. Prior to joining BnM, David was VP of Strategy at CRH plc. Previously, he worked in consulting across a range of sectors including utilities, nuclear and renewables. David holds a master’s degree in business administration from University College Dublin and a bachelors degree in engineering from University of Galway.

Cathal Marley is the Chief Executive Officer of Gas Networks Ireland, the semi-state organisation responsible for operating Ireland’s €2.7 billion, 14,664km national gas network, serving over 720,000 customers nationwide, and focused on delivering on its critical role in energy security while transitioning to transporting renewable gases through its network. He has over 20 years’ experience in the utilities and infrastructure sector, having previously worked in senior roles across the electricity and water industries. Cathal holds an MBA from the Michael Smurfit Business School, UCD, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Board member of the IMI, a member of the DCU Governing Authority and a Board member of Swim Ireland. His early career was spent with EY in Dublin and Eastern Europe.

Karen Kavanagh was appointed Director of Networks and Economic Regulation of CRU in 2022. She is responsible for implementing and enhancing the CRU’s economic regulation of water, gas and electricity networks, ensuring that the CRU supports customers, underpins economic growth, and plays a transformational role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. She has a BSc in Applied Science and a PhD in Physics from the Technological University Dublin. She also holds an MSc in Economic Policy Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an Advanced Diploma in Quasi-Judicial Decision-Making from King’s Inns.

Rory Monaghan, Professor in Energy Systems Engineering, University of Galway Rory Monaghan is the Lecturer of Energy Systems Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Galway (NUIG). His research interests include advanced simulation of thermal-fluid systems, including combustion, gasification and thermal performance of buildings in particular. He teaches courses in Mechanical Engineering and the newly-created Energy Systems Engineering Degree and Masters programmes at NUIG. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Combustion Chemistry Centre (C3) at NUIG between January 2010 and December 2011. His work with Dr. Henry Curran at C3 was on studying efficient and environmentally-benign combustion of existing and next-generation fuels, including natural gas and biofuels.

Seán Kinsella is the Principal Officer leading the Renewable Heat Delivery Division within the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The division has responsibility for funding and the development of district heating projects in Ireland. The division also leads on the implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy and the development of the Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme.

Dale Guest is Chief Commercial Officer at Stream Bioenergy. Dale is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years global experience in Corporate Finance, M&A and Renewable Energy, specialising in commercial negotiation, structuring of key projects and strategy development. Prior to joining the Stream Bioenergy team in February 2023, Dale held the position of Chief Financial Officer of RiverRidge Group, and was the Director of Corporate Banking Northern Ireland, for Bank of Ireland.

Karen Doyle is the Head of Business Development at Gas Networks Ireland and has responsibility for the development of renewable gas and provision of route to market for biomethane and green hydrogen. Karen has worked in the energy sector for over 17 years, having previously been Head of Energy and Infrastructure at Ulster Bank where she structured and delivered a number of landmark projects across the sector, including onshore wind (Ireland & UK), offshore development projects in UK, CCGT, biomass and waste to energy projects together with a number of portfolios of windfarm assets for both utility and fund clients. Energy efficiency and sustainability are keen interests and educating and sharing knowledge with others outside the energy sector to help to monetise opportunities and bring a greater awareness of the benefits of renewable energy to the economy and general society is important to Karen.

Seán Finan is the Chief Executive Officer at the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA), he is a Chartered Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) Degree from National University of Ireland, Galway. Prior to joining IrBEA, he has over 12 years engineering and management experience with John Sisk & Son (Holding) Ltd and took a two-year secondment from Sisk (2015 – 2017) to complete the full-time elected role as 35th National President of Macra na Feirme – the young farmers’ representative organisation. Currently a Vice-President of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) he also farms part-time. Over the years he has held various positions within many community, voluntary, representative and statutory organisations at a local, national and European level. Seán is looking forward to leading IrBEA and its members for a sustainable future in bioenergy and to strategically position bioenergy to play a key role in Ireland’s Sustainability Renewable Energy Roadmap into the future.

Helen Edwards has over 40 years' experience in the energy industry and is an expert on gas purchasing, supply, shipping and regulation in the UK and Ireland. She founded Ceres Energy in 2008 with a former colleague with the intention of entering the Irish biomethane market, and has marketed gas in Ireland since then. Ceres is the largest aggregator of biomethane in GB and has shipping and supply licences in Ireland, GB and Northern Ireland.

Niamh Hamill is an Assistant Principal Officer in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Assigned to the Heat Delivery Unit, Niamh is overseeing the development of the Renewable Heat Obligation and Implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy.

Chris Alexander is the Chief Executive of Triangle Housing. Chris joined the Association in 1991 having previously worked in social housing development in England. He took overall management responsibility for the work carried out by Triangle Housing Association as its Chief Executive Officer in 2007. Triangle provides over 1400 units of accommodation and a range of support, care and employment services throughout Northern Ireland, employing nearly 500 people. It is a main provider of accommodation and support services to facilitate resettlement of individuals from hospital and institutional environments to the community.

Claire-Lise Speisser is Senior Manager for EU Public Affairs on Green Gases at GRDF, the French gas distribution system operator, where she focuses on public affairs and strategic partnerships supporting the energy transition. Previously, she spent over four years at TotalEnergies, specialising in biomethane regulation, international market development, and public affairs. She holds a PhD in Management and Organization Studies, with research examining corporate political activity in the European biomethane sector and the role of public policy in enabling the development of innovative and circular business models.

Lucy Field is a Principal at AFRY. Lucy has 30 years’ experience in the energy business, most of which has been spent evaluating gas assets, studying security of supply and projecting energy transition scenarios. Most recently Lucy’s work has been in developing global gas supply demand scenarios, including LNG, and the development of green gases – biomethane and green hydrogen.

Ines Bouacida is a Research fellow at IDDRI, an independent policy research institute and a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform that identifies the conditions and proposes tools to put sustainable development at the heart of international relations and public and private policies. Ines works on the energy transition in France and Europe, notably the role of gas in decarbonisation, the future of gas infrastructures and the development of hydrogen. She holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Development with a specialty in Energy and Materials from Utrecht University (Netherlands).

Ian Marshall is Head of Business Development and Policy at the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), Queen's University Belfast, where he builds strategic connections between research, industry, and government across bioenergy, energy systems, decarbonisation, and the circular bioeconomy. He previously held a similar role at the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen's, advancing research and industry collaboration across food integrity, agricultural and environmental resilience, nutrition, and data analytics. In 2018, Ian was elected to Seanad Éireann, serving as an Independent Senator until 2020. He is a former President of the Ulster Farmers' Union and former member of the Northern Ireland Agri-Food Strategy Board.

Charles Kane is Chief Executive Officer at Greengate Biogas. Charles has over a decade of senior leadership experience in anaerobic digestion (AD) and biomethane development, with a proven track record of taking large scale projects from conception through development, operation, and exit. He has extensive experience delivering complex AD portfolios, managing funder relationships, and implementing industry-leading standards. Prior to joining Greengate Biogas, Charles served as Sustainability Director at Ixora Energy Ltd./Engie in the UK, where he played a central role in developing 11 AD and biomethane facilities. Charles holds an MBA with distinction from Harper Adams University and a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture from the University of Plymouth he is also a Lean Six Sigma trained.

Alan Farrell is the Senior Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Liquid Gas Ireland, representing the LPG and BioLPG industry. A former public representative with more than 20 years’ experience in local and national politics, Alan previously chaired Oireachtas Committees and his Parliamentary Party. He now leads policy development to advance renewable liquid gas production in Ireland and promotes LPG and renewable liquid gases as practical, lower carbon solutions for off natural gas grid homes and businesses..

Richard Kennedy is CEO of Carbon AMS, a company creating renewable energy using grass grown from soil optimised for sustainability and biodiversity. He won the Irish Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019. Richard, also a farmer, finds purpose leading people to fulfil their potential. He is passionate about innovation through science to benefit farming, food, and society.

Morgan is Chief Operating Officer with Stream BioEnergy with responsibility for project development and operations. With almost 30 years’ professional practice in waste, energy and environment, Morgan brings a wealth of experience to the biogas sector. He is leading a portfolio of projects across Ireland, the UK and internationally with capacity to generate almost 2 TWh of biomethane from 1.8 million tonnes of organic material. Morgan is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and an MBS from the Irish Management Institute.

James Manley is Country Manager, Ireland for Cycle0. Along with more than 20 years of experience in the agri-food and property sectors, James has vast experience in various areas of business and new product development. This includes sales and marketing, and all aspects of general and operational management. James has led several European commercial activities within animal identification and monitoring divisions and he has focused on revamping businesses to embrace technological advancements and improve customer relations in order to future-proof commercial offerings.

John-Paul Gilroy works with College Proteins, the Irish bio-waste and sustainable-protein business based in Nobber, Co. Meath. His work is focused heavily on developing commercial opportunities, partnerships and new markets connected to College Proteins and the wider group.
Gilroy plays an important role in expanding the value created from its waste-processing operations. His responsibilities include commercial development, building strategic relationships and helping bring major projects and agreements to completion. He has been particularly involved in the company’s move into renewable energy and biomethane, including a major agreement with Flogas for biomethane produced at the Nobber facility.

Paul Monaghan is the Group Head of Sustainability for Mannok, leads the company’s 2030 strategic vision and major decarbonisation initiatives across its operations. With 30 years manufacturing experience he works across industry, government and academia on hydrogen policy, community energy and research in hydrogen and carbon capture. He has driven key renewable projects including large scale solar PV and the Hybernia green hydrogen concept. He also chairs a Sustainable Energy Community and is an An Taisce Climate Ambassador. A regular speaker as international conferences such as EnviroTech and FOAK events such as Terra Tuscany and the Net Zero Exchange to Malaysia and Singapore.

Vicente Monje is a Senior Consultant in Biogas at Ramboll, specialising in the development and technical assessment of biogas and biomethane projects. He works across project development, engineering and technical due diligence, supporting clients in the evaluation and delivery of renewable gas projects across Europe. Before joining Ramboll, he worked at Carlsberg as Water and Wastewater Lead, where he played a central role in reducing carbon emissions and water waste in the brewing industry. Vicente holds a PhD in chemical engineering and brings together research, industrial and consulting experience in anaerobic digestion and renewable gas.

David Kelly is the Chief Executive Officer at Gas Networks Ireland, the semi-state organisation responsible for operating Ireland’s €3 billion, 14,725km national gas network, and ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of gas to almost 725,000 homes and businesses across the country. Gas Networks Ireland is aiming to deliver a repurposed, resized and fully decarbonised gas network. David was appointed CEO in February 2026, having previously served Director of Customer and Business Development at Gas Networks Ireland since 2022. He has over twenty years of experience in the private and public sectors and has spent a decade with the organisation, during this time he held the role of Group Head of Customer Operations and Public Affairs for Ervia. David is also the President of Dublin Chamber of Commerce.