Chief Executive of the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association, Charlotte Morton, announced a new milestone for the industry last month, following the unveiling of the UK’s 400th biogas plant. The association’s market data now shows that AD offers over 500 megawatts equivalent (MWe) electrical equivalent capacity, which is more capacity than the nuclear power plant at Wylfa, which is being decommissioned this year.
“This capacity is extremely valuable because AD generates low carbon baseload or dispatchable power, helping to keep the lights on and balance the output from intermittent renewables such as wind and solar” said Ms Morton. “The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has rightly said that providing baseload is one of her department’s priorities, and biogas should be seen as an important component to our energy security.”
Ms Morton added that despite this, further growth in capacity is being hindered by the government’s decisions to remove Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs) in the summer budget. ADBA estimates this will cost the AD industry £11 million. Another hindrance for the sector is the fast-tracking of a four week consultation aimed at removing pre-accreditation from the Feed-in Tariff (FiT).
The industry needs viable support in the forthcoming FiT review in order to expand. It also needs the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to support new green gas.
AD has the potential to meet 30 percent of UK domestic gas demand as well as cutting UK greenhouse gas emissions by four percent and supporting food security and production.
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