There are now 400 operational AD plants generating enough gas each year to produce the equivalent in electricity production of a nuclear power station.
Charlotte Morton, chief executive of the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ABDA) announced the milestone achievements in her opening remarks in the conference at today’s UK AD & Biogas 2015.
“Biogen’s sixth AD plant, unveiled last month, marks an industry milestone with 400 plants currently in operation and more coming online each month.
“Since the first UK AD & Biogas trade show five years ago, the industry has quintupled outside of the water sector. Across all AD’s sectors the industry now has a combined electrical equivalent capacity (electricity and biomethane) of almost 480 megawatts – equivalent to the capacity of one of the UK’s nuclear power plants, Wylfa, being decommissioned this year.
“But this is just the start – now is the time to step on the gas. With a favourable outcome from key policy decisions that need to be taken by the new government, ADBA’s market forecast estimates that industry could reach 500 plants by the end of the year and then potentially more than double by 2020.
“AD integrates particularly well into farming, making farmers more resilient against fluctuating agricultural markets, supporting food production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There is enormous potential for on-farm AD to continue to grow over the coming years, with the right policy support.
“One of the most notable developments over the last year has been the rapidly developing biomethane market, with 33 gas-to-grid plants now in operation.
Biomethane helps decarbonise heating without the need for new infrastructure, and has a particular role in transport where there are few other options for heavy goods vehicles.
“The AD industry is already supporting 4,500 green jobs and generating a UK exports market in AD technology and expertise worth £100 million.”
ADBA’s new Market Report also shows that 60-100 new plants are likely to be commissioned in 2015 and 1.6 million tonnes of food waste are now being recycled through AD compared to 0.3-0.4 million tonnes in 2010.
But the report authors also point out that waste policy in England is holding up investment compared to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They say: “The sector faces real challenges from 2016, but with reasonable policy changes the sector could still deliver at least 500 more plants by 2020.
“AD already brings in at least £50m-£100m to the UK in exports, and employs 4,500 people, but the industry has the potential to deliver 30% of the UK’s domestic gas demand.
“That’s the equivalent of providing enough fuel to run 60% of the UK’s bus fleet and the technology could reduce the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 4%.”