Response Report | Developing Biomethane Production in Northern Ireland Call for Evidence

ADBA submitted its response to DfE’s Developing Biomethane Production in Northern Ireland call for evidence in August 2024. DfE published the Call for Evidence Response Report in April 2025, a comprehensive analysis of responses collected from all of the respondents.

Our input is particularly evident in the report’s acknowledgement of biomethane’s versatility beyond just gas network injection, highlighting its potential for decarbonising transport, creating e-fuels through biogenic CO₂capture, and generating additional revenue streams from co-products like digestate and biochar. The consultation report recognises our emphasis on the importance of viewing biomethane production holistically, with multiple end-use pathways and valuable by-products that can support the economic viability of AD facilities.

The Department has noted our recommendation to recognise biomethane within the UK Emissions Trading Scheme as a key mechanism to improve cost-effectiveness, along with our emphasis on economies of scale in large-scale AD plants and appropriate support to develop digestate and biogenic CO₂ as viable revenue streams to reduce costs. Our call for a holistic review of all low carbon technologies, considering readiness levels, consumer acceptability, economic costs, and social value, has been acknowledged as necessary for facilitating optimal policy decisions.

The consultation report further demonstrates our impact through its recognition of infrastructure and regulatory concerns we raised, including the allocation of connection costs for single injection sites versus shared hubs, and the critical need for effective collaboration between government departments. Our emphasis on addressing planning and permitting delays has been documented as a key issue. Additionally, the report acknowledges our recommendations for establishing regulatory frameworks for carbon pricing, accelerating training programmes for operational staff, and supporting research and innovation to enhance biogas and biomethane production technologies. The final report now forms part of the evidence base that will shape Northern Ireland’s biomethane policy framework, with our contributions helping to ensure a balanced approach to environmental sustainability, infrastructure development, and economic viability.

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