Over half of Wales’ annual gas demand could be met by green gas produced within the country, according to a new report from Wales & West Utilities and the Green Gas Task Force.
Launched at last month’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, Wales’ green gas opportunity reveals how scaling up green gas production could accelerate decarbonisation and provide a reliable and secure source of clean energy for homes, businesses and industry in Wales, whilst also supporting thousands of jobs, and attracting investment into rural communities.
The report highlights that in Wales there is sufficient sustainable feedstock to generate 3 TWh of biomethane by 2030, and 10 TWh by 2050, equivalent to around almost half of Wales’ 2025 economy wide gas demand, or around 80% of the gas used in home heating across the country each year.
Furthermore the report reveals the homegrown economic benefits of biomethane – for every £1 invested in biomethane, 85p stays in Britain, and the green gas sector could deliver £4 billion of Gross Added Value (GVA) by 2050.
The collaborative report states that in Wales there is huge potential for the generation, and use of biomethane, a green gas that is produced through the digestion of organic matter in large domes known as anaerobic digesters. Wales currently has two biomethane plants connected to the gas grid, but with the right support it could significantly contribute to national efforts to reach net zero emission targets whilst supporting farmers to diversify and develop their farming practice.
The event at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, co-hosted with the National Farmers Union Cymru, was supported by a panel which included Elwyn Vaughan (MS – Gwynedd Maldwyn), Charles McAllister (Director, Green Gas Taskforce), Matt Hindle, (Head of Sustainability & Net Zero, Wales & West Utilities), and John Owen (Lead Consultant, Lafan).
Matt Hindle, Head of Sustainability & Net Zero Wales & West Utilities, said:
“At Wales & West Utilities we are committed to a cleaner energy future using our world class gas infrastructure. As a homegrown renewable energy source, biomethane has the potential to play a vital role in decarbonising homes, businesses and industry without consumers needing to change how they use energy.
“We were delighted to work in partnership with the Green Gas Taskforce and NFU Cymru to launch this report, which demonstrates that biomethane could provide half the gas Wales uses today: it is a practical, proven and scalable solution as part of a sustainable future energy mix.”
Charles McAllister, Director, Green Gas Taskforce added:
“Today, only 2.5% of organic farm waste in the UK is used to make biomethane, making it a huge, untapped source of green fuel. Turbocharging the green gas sector in Wales could have huge benefits to the Welsh agricultural industry and the rural economy.
“Our findings reveal that the green gas industry could create 3,000 jobs by 2050, with wages 28% above the Welsh average, and with jobs located in rural areas, rather than just located in cities. The use of organic feedstocks from farms also has the potential to provide a stable revenue to farmers, providing predictability and income at a time of great pressure and uncertainty in the agricultural sector.”
