Rising gas prices triggered by the war involving Iran could be softened by a rapid expansion of Britain’s domestic green gas industry, according to the UK’s anaerobic digestion sector.
Producers say the latest surge in global energy prices has exposed how vulnerable the UK remains to shocks in international fuel markets. Gas prices across Europe have spiked sharply since the conflict disrupted energy flows and shipping routes in the Gulf.
The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association says the UK could quickly boost biomethane output if the government removes several regulatory barriers.
Biomethane is a purified form of biogas produced from food waste farm residues and other organic materials and can be injected directly into the UK gas grid.
Britain currently produces around 7TWh of biomethane each year enough to heat roughly two thirds of a million homes.
Industry estimates suggest output could rise to about 9TWh by next winter if plants are allowed to operate at full capacity.
The sector says that increase alone would replace the entire volume of gas Britain imported from Qatar in 2024.
ADBA chair and former energy secretary Chris Huhne said the latest price shock highlighted the need to strengthen domestic supply.
“Britain cannot control global gas markets but it can control how much of its energy it produces at home,” he said.
“Biomethane is ready to go today. With a handful of swift policy changes we could rapidly increase domestic gas production within months cutting imports and helping protect households from the worst of global price and supply shocks.”
The UK currently has more than 750 biogas plants processing around 36 million tonnes of organic waste every year.
Industry leaders say reforms to production caps grid injection limits and outdated regulations could unlock additional output quickly.
With energy markets again under pressure they argue green gas offers one of the fastest ways to boost domestic supply before next winter.
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