The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) marked the first day of the industry’s dedicated exhibition and conference, UK AD & Biogas 2014, by launching its first Market Update for the sector.
The document, which includes key market data such as market growth in terms of capacity as well as numbers of AD plants, future development of the market with current data from the national planning database and breakdown by feedstock types, has been produced to demonstrate the ongoing potential of the sector and was unveiled at the event which is being held at the NEC, Birmingham today (July 2) and tomorrow.
Announcing the launch of the Market Update at UK AD & Biogas 2014, ADBA chief executive Charlotte Morton said in the four years since the organisation’s first trade show, the anaerobic digestion sector had seen unprecedented growth.
“In that time, more than one hundred new AD plants have opened, more than trebling the number outside the water sector, delivering over 150 MW of capacity to generate ultra low carbon storeable, baseload, flexible renewable gas, as well as saving well over five million tonnes of CO2, recycling nutrients essential to food production and creating jobs,” she added. “Our members have delivered a very significant contribution to green growth in challenging conditions, which they should be very proud of.
“AD developers still face plenty of challenges, but we’re determined to continue to work with Government and our partners to overcome these and help the sector to build on the strong foundations that are now in place to ensure it delivers its full potential: 10% of the UK’s domestic gas demand, 35,000 green jobs, biofertiliser worth £200 million, and in the process reducing the UK’s carbon emissions by more than 2%.”
In the light of the market information in the update, particularly the growth potential for the farming anaerobic digestion market, ADBA’s policy manager, Matt Hindle, said anaerobic digestion and farming were a natural fit.
“But, it’s particularly challenging to deploy smaller-scale technology with current policies, not least because Government incentives only recognise the energy generation from AD, not its wider benefits, including the recycling of essential nutrients for food production, better slurry management and greenhouse gas mitigation,” he added.
“UK AD & Biogas 2014 has offered the chance to discuss key issues such as the implementation of bioenergy sustainability criteria, and the potential for biomethane on farms.”
The ABDA’s Market Update can be downloaded below: