ADBA Scottish Conference 2025 

The ADBA Scottish Conference 2025, held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 26th March, brought together key players from Scotland’s anaerobic digestion industry. Under the theme “Green Gas: Powering Scotland’s Just Transition,” the event served as a platform for the Scottish AD sector navigates between the uncertainty of waiting for the future bioenergy strategy and the closure of its Grangemouth oil refinery. 

Highlights from the Day 

ADBA Chair Chris Huhne opened proceedings, followed by policy lead Gareth Mottram’s overview of Scotland’s AD landscape.  

Michael Matheson MSP delivered a compelling keynote address on the role of biogas in Scotland’s energy future. How it is a critical asset for energy security, decarbonisation and waste processing in Scotland.  

The morning panel explored biogas as a missing piece in Scotland’s just transition, featuring insights from Richard King (SGN), Maurice Golden MSP, and Daniel Lambert (Acorn Bioenergy). Their discussion highlighted how AD can reinvigorate the nation and offer a real pathway to economic growth. 

The food security session with Iain Clunie, Richard Gueterbock and Dr. Thomas Fudge demonstrated how AD strengthens Scotland’s position as a Good Food Nation through improved soil health, reduced waste and an integrated approach to energy infrastructure. 

Afternoon sessions addressed the future opportunities in the market around AD, Scotland is well placed to take advantage of the growth of carbon capture from AD producing negative emissions critical to hitting net zero. This was followed by a session looking at how to retrofit an AD plant for more future proofing and improved revenue again looking at CCS but also how to improve yields from feedstock pre-processing and other opportunities.  

The day concluded with ADBA’s summary of policy priorities and a networking reception. 

Inchdairnie Site Visit: Seeing Theory in Practice 

A major draw was the exclusive visit to GCP’s Inchdairnie Renewable Energy AD plant in Glenrothes. Delegates travelled from Edinburgh to see this excellent facility, operational since 2017. 

Visitors witnessed firsthand how the plant converts organic materials into biomethane for the national gas grid. The site exemplifies circular economy principles, using feedstock from the host farm and processing by-products from the neighbouring InchDairnie Distillery. 

Delegates were interested in plans to capture biogenic carbon dioxide during the biogas upgrading process – showcasing the plant’s future-focused approach. 

The Way Forward 

Throughout the conference, speakers emphasised the “virtuous cycle” that anaerobic digestion creates – enhancing biodiversity, protecting waterways, improving soil health, and supporting agricultural resilience as well as the energy resilience that is well worn story. 

The event, the biggest and most successful ADBA Scottish conference, provided valuable networking opportunities and shared valuable insights for the AD sector in Scotland.  

For more information, contact our Policy Team at policysupport@adbioresources.org.