UK advised to change support scheme for biogas

Citation

(2009), "UK advised to change support scheme for biogas", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 20 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/meq.2009.08320dab.003

UK advised to change support scheme for biogas

Article Type: News From: Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Volume 20, Issue 4

Government incentives for renewable gas production in the UK should encourage biogas use for heating rather than for electricity generation, according to the British national grid operator. This was one of several recommendations on biogas recently published by the operator. Biogas use for electricity generation is currently supported under the UK renewables obligation (RO) but this is not the most efficient way of exploiting its full green potential, the operator says. Injecting biogas into the gas grid could double its contribution to the UK’s renewable energy target.

Among other things, the operator also called for a comprehensive waste management policy to ensure that “each waste stream is directed to the most appropriate technology to maximise energy recovery and recycling”. Last year, the European Parliament urged the EU executive to propose a directive on biogas and biowaste. The Commission prepared draft legislation on biowaste several years ago but the proposals never emerged.