Pure Data Centres Group, the pan-European and Middle East developer and operator of hyperscale cloud and AI data centres, has completed Europe’s first large-scale cross-border biomethane purchase for a data centre.
It transferred 9GWh of certified German biomethane to the Irish gas network over a seven-day period – 9,000-fold increase on its proof of concept (PoC). This 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.
Renewable gas is a transitional measure, forming part of Pure DC’s strategy to achieve net-zero by 2040. The company continues to progress Irish biomethane purchases alongside EU and UK imports, while advancing longer-term strategies – including local renewable energy integration, energy storage, and efficiency measures – consistent with Ireland’s Large Energy User policy and Climate Action Plan.
Maria Jose Rivas Duarte, Director of Sustainability at Pure DC, said this milestone supports Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and aligns with the LEU policy, under which data centres must meet at least 80 percent of their annual energy demand with additional renewable electricity.
“By demonstrating that cross-border biomethane can be procured, mass balanced, and registered at volume through existing infrastructure, we are helping to pave the way for broader data centre sector adoption as well as other industries seeking a credible route to decarbonise natural gas.”
Agnes Warner, Property Director at Pure DC, stated that biomethane procurement strategy is designed to build a balanced portfolio that provides long-term security and credibility. “For our customers, this means a demonstrable, auditable pathway to lower embedded emissions – making our platform more attractive to hyperscalers and enterprise customers while supporting their sustainability commitments.”
Such transactions require coordination across producers, brokers, shippers, and regulators spanning multiple jurisdictions. This collaborative model highlights the value of an integrated approach across Ireland’s regulatory infrastructure – including the GNI Renewable Gas Registry, the EPA’s alignment of EU ETS monitoring with RED criteria, and the CRU’s supervisory framework.
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.