Feasibility Study – Dunmore Landfill Gas Flare and Civic Amenity Site, Kilkenny

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This procurement seeks a feasibility study for Kilkenny County Council concerning the Dunmore Landfill Gas Flare and Civic Amenity Site. The objective is to explore the potential utilisation of the existing landfill gas flare as an alternative energy source, supporting climate action and sustainability. The study will also examine the future use and development of the Dunmore Civic Amenity Site over the next 10 years, including circular economy opportunities, legislative requirements, and a cost-benefit assessment of viable options. This aligns with the Council's Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP) and its designation of Kilkenny City as a Decarbonising Zone.

The work is structured into six distinct packages:

• Work Package 1: Project Inception, Data Review and Site Assessment: This involves an inception meeting to confirm objectives, scope, and programme. A review of all provided documentation, including landfill gas monitoring records, flare operational data, site drawings, environmental licences, waste tonnage data, and Civic Amenity Site operational information, will be conducted. Any information gaps will be identified. A site inspection will familiarise the consultant with the landfill, gas collection system, flare infrastructure, Civic Amenity Site, and surrounding lands. An inception note summarising methodology, reviewed information, programme, and required additional information will be provided.

• Work Package 2: Feasibility Study of Landfill Gas Flare Energy Recovery: This package assesses the potential for recovering energy from the landfill gas. It includes reviewing the existing gas collection system and flare infrastructure to establish their condition and remaining lifespan. The consultant will examine the feasibility of various energy recovery technologies, such as electricity generation, heat recovery, combined heat and power (CHP), and direct thermal applications. Integration with complementary renewables like solar PV or battery storage will be considered. Potential end-users for recovered energy, both on-site and in the surrounding area, will be identified. All relevant planning, environmental, and regulatory requirements will be assessed. Each technically viable option will be evaluated against criteria including technical feasibility, costs, energy output, carbon reduction, risks, and value for money. A preferred option and a high-level implementation roadmap will be concluded.

• Work Package 3: Review of Existing Civic Amenity Site Operations: This package focuses on understanding the current operation of the Dunmore Civic Amenity Site. It includes reviewing waste streams accepted, annual throughput, customer usage, operational procedures, staffing, site layout, traffic management, and existing infrastructure. The review will identify operational strengths and constraints. The site's support for circular economy principles will be assessed, with opportunities for maximising material value through prevention, reuse, and repair explored.

• Work Package 4: Ten-Year Strategic Feasibility Assessment of the Civic Amenity Site: This package prepares a strategic assessment for the site's future role over the next decade. It will consider the evolving waste management landscape, circular economy emphasis, and legislative changes. Opportunities to develop the site into a circular economy hub promoting reuse, repair, refurbishment, education, and enterprise will be examined. Future infrastructure requirements, including buildings, storage, traffic, renewable energy integration, and climate resilience, will be considered. Development scenarios, ranging from incremental improvements to ambitious redevelopment, will be created, detailing investment, benefits, operational implications, revenue, and risks.

• Work Package 5: Cost Benefit Analysis and Economic Appraisal: A proportionate economic appraisal will be conducted for the preferred options identified in Work Packages 2 and 4. This includes estimating indicative capital investment, operating and maintenance costs, and potential revenues. Financial viability will be assessed using techniques like payback periods and Net Present Value (NPV). Wider benefits, including greenhouse gas reductions, resource efficiency, and job creation, will also be assessed. Principal risks and assumptions will be identified.

• Work Package 6: Recommendations and Implementation Strategy: This final package synthesizes the study's findings into a practical implementation strategy. It will identify preferred development pathways, a prioritised programme of actions, potential funding sources, procurement routes, key risks, timescales, and governance arrangements. The final report will provide an evidence base for future investment decisions and funding applications, demonstrating alignment with climate action and circular economy objectives.

The consultant will provide an Inception Note, an Interim Findings Report/Presentation, a Draft Feasibility Study Report, and a Final Report. All outputs, including financial models and calculations, must be supplied electronically in PDF and editable formats. A final presentation and workshop will be delivered to Kilkenny County Council personnel.

3. Background & buyer context

Kilkenny County Council is undertaking this procurement to explore the potential of the Dunmore Landfill Gas Flare and Civic Amenity Site. This initiative is driven by the Council's adopted Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP) for the next five years. Specifically, it addresses Action 5.15, which mandates exploring the development of alternative energy sources at the Dunmore landfill, including using heat from the gas flare and other renewable technologies. It also addresses Action 5.16, which calls for exploring opportunities to repurpose, upcycle, and maximise the value of waste at the Dunmore Civic Amenity Site to generate new products and circular economy initiatives. Kilkenny City is designated as the Decarbonising Zone (DZ) for County Kilkenny, and the Dunmore Civic Amenity Site falls within this DZ boundary. The procurement aims to support climate action, sustainability, and potential income-generating activities.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Criterion Requirement