Politicians, farming leaders and energy experts have called for greater ambition to unlock the production and use of biomethane in Wales, following an event at the Plaid Cymru Conference in Llandudno.
The fringe event on 3 October was organised by Wales & West Utilities and chaired by Abi Reader, President of the National Farmers Union Cymru. The panel included Elwyn Vaughan MS, Chair of the Senedd’s Economy, Energy and Connectivity Committee; Charles McAllister, Director of the Green Gas Taskforce; and John Owen, Lead Consultant at Lafan.
Biomethane is a renewable gas produced from organic materials including agricultural waste. It can be transported through the existing gas network and used by homes and businesses in the same way as natural gas, with no changes needed to end user equipment.
Analysis in the report Wales’ green gas opportunity found that Wales has sufficient sustainable feedstock to generate 3 TWh of biomethane by 2030 and 10 TWh by 2050. That would be enough to meet almost half of Wales’ existing economy-wide gas demand, or around 80 per cent of the gas used to heat Welsh homes today, without negatively impacting food production.
The report also found that 85p of every £1 invested in biomethane remains in Britain, and that the wider green gas sector could generate £4 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2050.
Speakers agreed that Wales is uniquely placed to become a leader in biomethane production, thanks to its strong agricultural sector, rural economy and existing gas infrastructure. Energy leaders warned that urgent action is needed to accelerate investment, provide policy certainty and remove barriers to deployment if the country is to realise the benefits.
Abi Reader said: “Wales has all the ingredients needed to become a biomethane success story. Our farmers are already at the heart of producing food sustainably and biomethane offers a further opportunity to diversify farm incomes, reduce emissions and contribute to our energy future.”
She added: “The message from today’s discussion was clear: if we are serious about delivering a just transition to net zero, we must ensure rural Wales, and its farmers, are part of the solution and benefits from the opportunities that transition creates.”
Elwyn Vaughan MS said: “Wales needs a balanced approach to decarbonisation that makes the most of all the technologies available to us. Biomethane has the potential to reduce emissions, improve energy resilience and support skilled jobs across our rural communities.”
Charles McAllister said: “Wales has an opportunity to be at the forefront of green gas production, but achieving that will require ambition from policymakers and coordinated action across industry, agriculture and government.”
Gwyn Thomas from Wales & West Utilities said: “At Wales & West Utilities, we’re committed to delivering a cleaner, greener energy future for Wales, and biomethane has an important role to play in that transition.”
The panel called on the Welsh and UK Governments to work with industry and the agricultural sector to create a clear roadmap for biomethane development, including support for new production facilities, investment in skills and supply chains, and policies and incentives that encourage greater deployment of renewable gases.
A report on the biomethane opportunity for Wales was launched by the Green Gas Taskforce and Wales & West Utilities at this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.
