UK government recognises “strong message” for biomethane at ADBA Conference

The UK government expressed a willingness to engage with industry at the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) National Conference 2024.
During a keynote address at the London-held event, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), outlined the government’s commitment to achieving net zero – and the importance of collaboration to this end.
She said the UK is coming out of one of the worst cost of living crisis seen in a generation, and that energy is at the heart of that crisis.
“The truth and the reality today is that energy is – candidly and quite frankly – unaffordable for too many people. That is the reality that we think is unforgivable, and a reality that we are not willing to accept.
“Our analysis is that this is a direct consequence of our over-reliance on global fossil fuel markets that we have no control over, combined with a failure over the course of the last decade-and-a-half to upgrade enough homes in order to insulate people from price strikes.
“So we are determined to get off this rollercoaster of price hikes and price falls and deliver home-grown clean power.”
This is why the UK government’s mission to achieve clean power is so important.
She emphasised that anaerobic digestion (AD) offers a clean, home-grown source of energy, and it provides a way to decarbonise homes, food, transport, heavy industry, power generation and more.
“I share your ambition for this industry, and it will be increasingly important for us that this is a core part of the energy mix as we phase out natural gas, so we are looking at a transformative decade for this industry.”
Fahnbulleh went on to highlight two things the government are doing to support the industry going forward.
“The first is a Green Gas Support Scheme. Getting this up and running was an important step in growing the market. Not only will it deliver national benefits, it will also clean up local environments and provide good jobs.”
The government extended this scheme, keeping it open for applications until March 2028.
“But I also recognise that we need to build an ambitious acceptance of this scheme so that this industry has the clarity, the confidence and the support it needs to grow,” continued Fahnbulleh.
The second major initiative is designing a new policy framework for the sector, which Fahnbulleh described as a ‘massive bit of work.’
She said there were very clear messages received through a call for evidence.
“So this new framework needs to send a strong message from government on the role of biomethane in getting to net zero. It needs to be more flexible on feedstocks and address issues with the planning process.
“You also raise ideas around moving to a more market-based support mechanism, and you gave suggestions for making biomethane more commercially viable, for example, by making it part of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.”
Fahnbulleh added that all of this is being looked at in great detail, and being taken into account, and that collaboration will be key to maximise opportunities.
“We know that we've got to work with you, but we've also got to engage across government. That's why we're working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on that question of planning and how we get it right for the industry.
“We're also working with Defra [Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs] so that we can help build the circular economy by reducing emissions from waste and ensuring digesters can be used as organic fertiliser. We're also engaging with the devolved administration, because we recognise that the transition has to work for every part of the UK.”
This is a huge undertaking, she said, and a big piece of work.
“It’s cross-government work, which is never easy, but absolutely critical if we want to get this right.”