The chief executive of the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association has called for biogas to get the same treatment as other unconventional gas forms at a Parliamentary hearing.
Giving evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Committee, Charlotte Morton said that there should be greater coherence of policy in support for anaerobic digestion and biogas as promised for unconventional gas sources in the Gas Generation Strategy.
She said: “The omission [of biogas from the Gas Generation Strategy] is an extraordinary one. The Government has already recognised the potential of anaerobic digestion within the Coalition agreement, however the support could be much greater.
“Given that we have a strategy for gas generation, it seems bizarre that biogas – one of best ultra-low carbon, domestically produced forms of gas – has not been considered.
“The UK is one of the leaders in this technology, which can deliver 10 per cent of the UK’s domestic gas demand, helping to address security of supply as well as green growth and the potential for a significant export market.
“The growth of the industry is dependent on access to feedstock. Inclusion of biogas within the remit of the Office of Unconventional Oil and Gas would help to address the incoherent policy framework that currently affects the biogas market, by bringing oversight within one body.”
Institution of Engineering and Technology energy policy panel member Roger Kemp backed Charlotte Morton’s evidence to the committee. He said in his evidence: “Biogas can be stored and as a result could help reduce the required peak electricity capacity. The present subsidy regime does not appear to recognise the additional benefit that could be gained by the upgrading of biogas to biomethane and the heat that could therefore be stored.”
