In the 'Developing an Implementation Plan for Anaerobic Digestion' document, the Task Force – which was established earlier this year with chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Steve Lee,
And, it details 46 recommendations, including:
• Developing an economic framework to encourage use of digestate as soil conditioner and fertiliser and biogas as a fuel
• Developing new feed-in tariffs for small scale renewable energy generation and renewable heat incentives
• Finalising the standard and Quality Protocol for digestate
• Continuing to improve knowledge of AD technology and prioritising research and development
• Increasing awareness and understanding of AD among developers, investors, customers and those involved in planning
• Measuring progress of AD to highlight what action is successful and what needs to be changed
The aim of the recommendations in the report is to deliver both the sectoral and national collective ambitions for anaerobic digestion which were set out in the Defra report 'Anaerobic Digestion – Shared Goals' when it was published in February this year (see letsrecycle.com story).
Waste and recycling minister Dan Norris welcomed the publication of the Implementation Plan. He said: “I'm very appreciative to Steve Lee and the other members of the task group for producing this important set of recommendations. Their work will make a very significant contribution to how we take forward this innovative technology.
He added that the government planned to respond to the recommendations in the document later this year.
Input
And, speaking to letsrecycle.com about the Plan, the Task Group chair Steve Lee explained that the body was now seeking input from AD stakeholders about the Plan, although he added that this would not be a formal consultation process.
He also wants to see some commitment from the sector towards the proposals. He said: “It is a draft implementation plan and we want to get it out into the real world and get a range of people to look at it and comment on it.”
The task group is open to receiving feedback on the document until September 9 and a final plan is due for publication in the autumn.
Mr Lee added: “Some actions will be easy to deliver and some will take years but if it was a quick win plan it would not be worth very much. It will help further the take-up of anaerobic digestion.”
WRAP
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has set up a forum to allow for easy communication between stakeholders about the Plan and provide a platform for feedback to the task group.
Dr Richard Swannell, director of retail & organics at WRAP added: “The Draft Implementation Plan has made some key recommendations which will stimulate the rapid development of the Anaerobic Digestion industry in the UK.
“WRAP is already working with industry to help develop anaerobic digestion infrastructure through, for example, our capital investment programme. We look forward to the Government's response to the recommendations made in the plan,” he added.
It is hoped that AD will make a significant contribution to the Government's Renewable Energy Strategy and Low Carbon Transition Plan which were announced today by Ed Miliband, secretary of state for energy and climate change (see letsrecycle.com story).
Register for free to comment