UK biogas association slams ‘criminal’ energy strategy

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) has responded to the UK government’s decision to allow drilling for shale gas to recommence this month.

Energy secretary Ed Davey has agreed for energy company Cuadrilla to resume operations after drilling for shale gas was suspended in 2011 due to two related earthquakes. This follows a dismissive Gas Generation Strategy, which made no mention of  anaerobic digestion or biogas, that was launched last week.

 ‘It is criminal that the debate about unconventional gas risks excludes the best source we have: biogas from anaerobic digestion,’ says ADBA CEO Charlotte Morton. ‘Upgraded to biomethane it is already replacing fossil gas in the grid, and has the potential to meet 10% of the UK’s domestic gas demand. It is ultra-low carbon and has a range of positive environmental impacts, in the process treating food waste and supporting farming.

‘The government should be putting green gas first, by giving long term policy certainty to investors and developers, and ensuring that policies such as local authority waste collections make as much organic material available for digestion as possible.’