Green gas production doubled in 2016 according to anaerobic digestion report

The report shows that the total number of AD plants in live operation has risen from 424 a year ago to 540 today
The report shows that the total number of AD plants in live operation has risen from 424 a year ago to 540 today

A new report being launched today at Westminster will emphasise the growth and development of the UK's anaerobic digestion sector, which consequently improves sustainability in farming.

ADBA’s December 2016 Market Report investigates and explores the growth, developments and market changes in the AD industry to date.

The report shows that the total number of AD plants in live operation has risen from 424 a year ago to 540 today, giving the UK more capacity to recycle food waste, more sustainable farming and waste water treatment, more low-carbon baseload electricity, and more green gas in our grid. AD has also already reduced UK greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 1% annually.

The growth has come despite policy uncertainty around the future of low carbon energy support, which ADBA warns is stifling future growth.

Commenting on the report, Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of ADBA, said: "In 2015 and 2016 green gas has gone mainstream, with biomethane now heating around 170,000 homes in the UK without the householder needing to do anything differently themselves.

"Biomethane to grid is a real success story for the Renewable Heat Incentive, and we look forward to the government setting out its plans for the next phase of the support scheme.

"Incentives for renewable electricity, however, are heavily restricted, which is a huge missed opportunity. With the right support the biogas industry could deliver 250MW of new generation capacity over the next two years – enough to add 10% to our tight winter 2018 capacity margin and bring benefits to farming, recycling and the economy. BEIS should urgently address the Feed-in Tariff budget to boost investment in this vital infrastructure for reliable baseload power."

Anaerobic digestion is the breakdown of organic material by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen. AD produces biogas, a methane-rich gas that can be used as a fuel, and digestate, a source of nutrients that can be used as a fertiliser. Increasingly, AD is being used to make the most of waste by turning it into renewable energy.