The UK AD industry delivers four times more electricity than solar PV and could grow 800% by the end of the decade, it has been claimed.
According to Lord Redesdale, chairman of the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association, left, the industry’s performance so far has been “incredible” and has the potential for huge growth.
Speaking ahead of next week’s UK AD and Biogas conference in Birmingham, he said: “It is incredible that with only 78 plants built outside of the water industry, the UK AD industry is already delivering over four times more electricity than solar PV.
“That is despite gaps in government support, a lack of coherent strategy for how we deal with waste and no strategy for how biogas should best be used.
Redesdale added that there were a large number of plants in the planning stage and significant interest in the sector. “With the right support from government, we could see an eightfold increase in renewable energy from AD by 2020,” he said.
He also highlighted the increase in exhibitors at conference, which is up to 200 compared with 74 two years ago.
“This is clear evidence supporting the role of the UK as a world leader in renewable energy,” said Redesdale. “The estimate of what the industry could deliver, in such a short time frame, with adequate support, with the barriers removed, and with the recognition it deserves, is staggering.”
- See MRW this week (29 June) for our AD special coverage
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