Skip to content

Welcome to the UK AD & Biogas 2013 issue of AD & Biogas News

This is an exciting time for the AD industry: between April 2012 and April 2013 the number of AD plants outside of the water sector increased by 46%, with two thirds of that growth taking place in the second half of the year indicating a significant increase in the rate of growth. However, with potential to deliver over 10% of the UK’s domestic gas demand, worth £2-3bn at today’s prices, there is plenty more growth still to come, making the market opportunity exciting. And with the UK aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, this sharp rise in the number of anaerobic digestion (AD) plants, especially within the farming, and food and drink sectors, is excellent news for the UK, particularly given that the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from avoidable food waste are equivalent to a quarter of the CO2 produced each year by cars.

The latest technology and services available in this growing sector will be showcased at UK AD & Biogas 2013 (3-4 July, NEC), our fourth trade show and conference. The ‘UK AD & Biogas 2013 preview’ (p.15-23) gives an overview of the wealth of free content on offer from conference and seminar sessions to our one-to-one advice clinics. On top of this, after the success of 2012’s UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards, this year’s show will see the return of this spectacular event which will celebrate achievement and innovation across the industry in 10 exciting categories. See our Awards preview on page 15.

AD can provide a valuable source of income for farmers, and food and drink businesses as well as numerous other benefits including efficient waste management, onsite renewable energy and the production of digestate biofertiliser. However, as highlighted in our ‘AD for farming and food businesses – a perfect match’ (p.8-13) feature there are some initial concerns for both farming and food businesses looking to start their own AD projects. These concerns can be overcome by selecting the right technology for your requirements (p.9), ensuring that you are operating efficiently (p.10) and thoroughly researching finance options (p.11).

As discussed in depth on page 24, the government is planning to reduce Feed-in Tariff rates from 2014, which could hamper the financial feasibility of small scale AD projects. We are currently in discussion with DECC and Defra ministers and are hopeful that this issue will be addressed in order to provide continued financial security for small scale AD projects.

Also inside this issue:

  • Banning food waste from landfill makes economic sense – guest foreword by Dustin Benton, Green Alliance (p 3.)
  • UK AD & Biogas – The exhibition (p.16)
  • UK AD & Biogas – The conference (p.17)
  • UK AD & Biogas 2013 – Exhibitor preview (p.19 – 23)
  • FIT degression threatens small scale AD (p.24)

I hope you enjoy this publication and find it informative. If you haven’t contributed before and would like some free publicity, go to page three to see how you can be involved in our upcoming features. As always, if you have any views, comments or suggestions – or would like us to visit your site – please contact me or better still, come to meet us at UK AD & Biogas 2013.

With best wishes,

Charlotte Morton
Chief Executive

Click here to read issue 17 of AD & Biogas News

Back To Top