The UK capacity for anaerobic digestion (AD) has doubled and the number of UK AD plants has increased by a third over the past 12 months, according to Defra’s ‘Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan: Annual Report on Progress 2011/12’.
The release of the progress report yesterday (3 July) outlines that though ‘significant progress’ has been made, in the inaugural 12 months of the plan, ‘there remain challenges and barriers to be overcome if this growing industry is to achieve its potential in producing renewable energy, treating our organic waste, and creating new sources of renewable bio-fertiliser’.
Over the past 12 months, the number of AD plants in the UK has risen from 54 to 78 and a further 100 plants are in the process of obtaining planning permission.
Environment Minister, Lord Taylor of Holbeach introduced the report by saying: “Our ambition ultimately is to avoid food waste going to landfill. We are, of course, taking action to reduce food waste arising in the first place, but where there is unavoidable food waste that cannot be reused, AD is the best environmental option currently available. That is why the government has made AD a priority and why it continues to be a priority for us. We look forward with confidence to the future of the AD sector.”
The Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan was developed by government and stakeholders to increase uptake of AD in England, and though no time-specific targets for the adoption of AD were defined, 56 actions to tackle barriers in adopting AD were outlined. Of these, the report states that 21 have been completed, seven are ongoing and 28 are still outstanding. These include: improving understanding of the AD baseline; building UK skills; building markets for digestate; raising awareness of AD; building markets for biomethane and transport fuels; increasing AD in the rural community; improving finance; and implementing regulation.
Other ‘highlights of the year’ listed in the report include:
- Launch of the £10 million Anaerobic Digestion Loan Fund operated by WRAP, and the offer of the first loan under the fund
- Strong industry response to WRAP’s ‘Driving Innovation in AD’ programme, resulting in 19 projects being funded to feasibility stage
- A new £9.5 million programme from the Department for Transport for low carbon trucks and re-fuelling infrastructure
- Good progress on reducing the costs of injecting biomethane to the grid
- New permitted development rights for on-farm AD, reducing the need for planning permission where the plant meets the specified size and feedstock criteria
- The subsidy for AD under the Feed-in-Tariff scheme was increased for small scale AD plants, and the Renewable Heat Incentive was launched providing another route for financial support of AD projects. The Department of Energy and Climate Change also reviewed the Renewables Obligation and the Feed-in -Tariff scheme during the year.
- Launch of new trials looking at alternative markets for digestate, for example for landscaping and regeneration
The full report can be found on Defra’s website.
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