Pure Data Centres has completed what it claims is Europe’s first large-scale cross-border biomethane purchase for a data centre, transferring 9GWh of certified German biomethane to the Irish gas network over a seven-day period.
The transaction is a 9,000-fold increase on Pure’s proof of concept, announced in March 2026, and demonstrates that gas-connected data centres can now be decarbonised at operational scale.
Both the PoC and the scaled purchase use the same cross-border methodology, certification standards, and GNI Renewable Gas Registry processes, and are consistent with Ireland’s Large Energy User policy and Climate Action Plan.
The 9GWh consignment was produced in 2025 at certified facilities in Germany using waste and residue feedstocks. The biomethane is unsubsidised, independently certified, and compliant with Renewable Energy Directives two and three. It carries a carbon intensity of less than 12g CO₂/MJ – within the thresholds required for zero-rated treatment under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (subject to EPA monitoring plan approval).
Renewable gas is a transitional measure, forming part of Pure DC’s strategy to achieve net zero by 2040. The company continues to make Irish biomethane purchases alongside EU and UK imports, while advancing longer-term strategies, including local renewable energy integration, energy storage and efficiency measures.
The gas was mass-balanced from the German grid to the Irish network via established interconnectors, with the renewable attribute tracked end-to-end through the GNI Renewable Gas Registry. The associated certificates have been approved by GNI and are scheduled for cancellation in 2026, formally retiring the green attribute to ensure exclusive use and prevent double counting.
Ireland’s National Biomethane Strategy targets up to 5.7TWh of domestic biomethane annually by 2030. While Irish production remains in development, EU imports facilitated by established infrastructure and the GNI registry bridge the gap and stimulate local investment. RED-compliant biomethane qualifies as zero-rated fuel for EU ETS operators, reducing allowance requirements and limiting carbon price exposure.
For Pure DC, this transaction represents a deliberate step towards a balanced and resilient biomethane portfolio, combining Irish biomethane, EU imports, and UK-sourced supply to ensure diversification across geographies, feedstock types, and contract structures.
