Biogas highlighted in Anglian Water’s net-zero plan
UK water company Anglian Water said it will maximise the value of biogas as part of its route to reach net zero by 2030.
The target will cover all of the firm’s operational activities and those of its supply chain, as well as a commitment to cut capital carbon by 70% against a 2010 baseline.
Under the plans, Anglian Water plans maximise the value of biogas by upgrading to biomethane and to decarbonise its vehicle fleet using hydrogen and biomethane.
Last year, England and Wales’ water sector became the first sector worldwide to work collaboratively on a roadmap to reach net zero within the decade, with each company expected to publish their plans this month.
Each year, Anglian will reduce its carbon emissions and by 2030, its operational emissions will have reduced by over 70% against a 2018/19 baseline – a reduction of over 250,000 tonnes.
Anglian plans to decarbonise its vehicle fleet, replacing 90% of all small fleet vehicles with electric equivalents, gradually switching medium-sized vehicles to hydrogen or alternative fuels such as biomethane, and switching 55% of the company’s HGVs to LNG.
The company will also maximise the value of biogas, upgrading biogas production to biomethane that can be exported to the grid, used as a transport fuel, or supplied to industry, helping to reduce emissions in more challenging areas of the economy.
“Over a decade ago, we had come to the realisation that we had a clear duty to tackle our emissions – not just because the water sector is generally one of the most power-hungry, but because the rural nature and flat landscape of our region means we need even more energy than most to pump water to where it is needed.
“We all know it is more urgent than ever to try to undo – or at least put a stop to – the damage we are doing to our planet and to adapt our assets to be fit for the future.
“The extremes of weather we are seeing, not just around the world, but here in our own backyard in the East of England, make it impossible to ignore the need to tackle our remaining emissions right now, in parallel with our efforts to be resilient to the changing climate which is already underway.
“So, we are accelerating our progress to net zero and setting out the pathway that will get us there by 2030, based on our three-step hierarchy of reducing emissions, decarbonising our electricity supply, and removing or offsetting our residual emissions.
“It won’t be easy - in fact, it will be incredibly challenging and we don’t have all the answers. Finding and delivering them is going to take sustained and genuinely collaborative efforts throughout the coming years, not just from us but from our supply chain, our peers, from government and from regulators, too.”
The target will cover all of the firm’s operational activities and those of its supply chain, as well as a commitment to cut capital carbon by 70% against a 2010 baseline.
Under the plans, Anglian Water plans maximise the value of biogas by upgrading to biomethane and to decarbonise its vehicle fleet using hydrogen and biomethane.
Last year, England and Wales’ water sector became the first sector worldwide to work collaboratively on a roadmap to reach net zero within the decade, with each company expected to publish their plans this month.
Each year, Anglian will reduce its carbon emissions and by 2030, its operational emissions will have reduced by over 70% against a 2018/19 baseline – a reduction of over 250,000 tonnes.
Anglian plans to decarbonise its vehicle fleet, replacing 90% of all small fleet vehicles with electric equivalents, gradually switching medium-sized vehicles to hydrogen or alternative fuels such as biomethane, and switching 55% of the company’s HGVs to LNG.
The company will also maximise the value of biogas, upgrading biogas production to biomethane that can be exported to the grid, used as a transport fuel, or supplied to industry, helping to reduce emissions in more challenging areas of the economy.
“Over a decade ago, we had come to the realisation that we had a clear duty to tackle our emissions – not just because the water sector is generally one of the most power-hungry, but because the rural nature and flat landscape of our region means we need even more energy than most to pump water to where it is needed.
“We all know it is more urgent than ever to try to undo – or at least put a stop to – the damage we are doing to our planet and to adapt our assets to be fit for the future.
“The extremes of weather we are seeing, not just around the world, but here in our own backyard in the East of England, make it impossible to ignore the need to tackle our remaining emissions right now, in parallel with our efforts to be resilient to the changing climate which is already underway.
“So, we are accelerating our progress to net zero and setting out the pathway that will get us there by 2030, based on our three-step hierarchy of reducing emissions, decarbonising our electricity supply, and removing or offsetting our residual emissions.
“It won’t be easy - in fact, it will be incredibly challenging and we don’t have all the answers. Finding and delivering them is going to take sustained and genuinely collaborative efforts throughout the coming years, not just from us but from our supply chain, our peers, from government and from regulators, too.”
