Major plan launched to boost AD uptake

The document, entitled ‘Accelerating the Uptake of Anaerobic Digestion in England: an Implementation Plan', builds on recommendations from Defra's Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Task Group and sets out actions to help local authorities, businesses and farmers to adopt the technology.

Defra states that there are currently around ten AD plants in operation with the same number under construction, while the number of digestion plants on farms has also grown, with around 25 currently in operation and at least 15 more planned.

However, publication of the document is intended to help develop a framework to deliver a means of helping the country generate more of its energy needs from renewable sources.

Launching the document, Secretary of State for the environment, Hilary Benn, said: “Anaerobic digestion has fantastic potential because it uses organic material that would otherwise be thrown away and converts it into renewable energy.

“I've already seen great examples of this technology in use around the country and the Implementation Plan we are publishing today will help speed up its use across the economy. We should aim to become world leaders in the innovative use of AD.”

Document

In the 48-page document, the government emphasises the role that AD can play in helping to curb the 100 million tonnes of organic waste produced each year, which is comprised of between 12 and 20 million