Biomethane : Industry roadmap sets course for biogas expansion

The report, produced in collaboration with Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy industry stakeholders and consumer groups, recognises the potential of biomethane to provide long-term flexibility to the wider energy network. It also acknowledges its versatility in supporting various end uses, including industrial processes, transportation and the generation of low-carbon dispatchable power at gas-fired power plants, as well as its capacity to decarbonise heating systems.

As a supplier of equipment to developers and operators of anaerobic digestion (AD) and biomethane plants in the UK and worldwide, HRS welcomes the ambition to consult on a ‘holistic future policy framework for biomethane’ next year, following the current Green Gas Support Scheme, which closes to new applications in March 2028. This will include consideration of biomethane’s role in dispatchable power generation.

Reacting to the roadmap, HRS Global Key Account Manager Matt Hale commented: "HRS has always argued that all parts of the anaerobic digestion process should be fully optimised in terms of efficiency (including net gas and power production, and utilisation of digestate and other additional products), and we hope that any future policy consultation will recognise the role of technologies such as digestate pasteurisation and concentration in truly embedding AD in a low-carbon circular economy."

Dr Gareth Mottram, Policy Lead at the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), the UK's biogas industry trade body, said: "The flexibility roadmap is a massive shift for the government. Up until now, the focus of biomethane has been on domestic heating. For the first time, a government document makes the case that generating biomethane to be injected into gas networks for use in inter-seasonal and peak balancing in existing gas turbine power plants is desirable.”