ADBA meets with Shadow Ministers ahead of General Election

For the anaerobic digestion (AD) and broader sustainable energy sectors, the upcoming General Election presents an exciting opportunity for fresh political engagement. The Conservative Party’s focus on a few technologies, such as hydrogen and nuclear, has overshadowed a diversified approach to a green energy mix. 

Over the past decade, the AD industry has faced challenges with being perceived as a small-scale solution, which has affected political ambition for the sector.  However, this perception is false: if the UK AD sector grows at the slowest projected rate forecasted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), it will surpass nuclear energy by 2031.  

ADBA has strategised for the next election by engaging early with key Labour figures, such as Kerry McCarthy, Shadow Minister for Climate, Daniel Zeichner, Shadow Minister for Farming, and Ruth Jones, Shadow Minister for Waste, to highlight the sector’s potential. In meetings with Kerry McCarthy and Daniel Zeichner, Chris Huhne, ADBA’s Chair, and Giulia Ceccarelli, Head of External Affairs, presented ADBA’s 11-point roadmap. This calls for targeted Government’s support to address current barriers for growth and details how AD can address issues ranging from energy security and clean waterways to achieving net zero and providing diversified income streams for farmers. These meetings were essential to secure support from likely future decision-makers. 

Additionally, ADBA’s 2024 site visit program employs mapping technology to connect Labour candidates with local AD plants, emphasising the value of firsthand experience over presentations. This initiative has been well-received by Labour candidates, suggesting a positive outlook for the AD sector’s role in the future energy mix. Currently, we are preparing to host the Labour candidate for Gainsborough, Jess McGuire, at Hemswell Biogas in Lincolnshire for our first site visit of the election season.