Bath MP Wera Hobhouse recently visited the green gas plant at Wyke Farms in Somerset to hear first-hand about the role biomethane is playing in the energy system.
The visit was hosted in partnership with Wales & West Utilities, the company who look after the pipes that transport green gas like biomethane across south-west England.
Wyke Farms has been generating biomethane since 2015 from its own on-site anaerobic digesters.
This converts 75,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste from its farm and neighbours into energy every year. The biomethane is then injected into the gas network to heat homes and power businesses.
Across Wales and south-west England, Wales & West Utilities has already connected 19 green gas plants to the network, decarbonising the gas supply to over 120,000 homes and businesses.
Speaking about her visit, Wera Hobhouse said: “It was great to see how Wyke Farms is blazing a trail in sustainable farming, not only reducing the impact of agriculture on the environment but also helping decarbonise the energy system.
“Using agricultural by-products as a feedstock to generate green, carbon-neutral, gas is the circular economy in action and a great example of the sort of project we need to invest in to meet Net Zero by 2050.
“I was interested to hear from Wales & West Utilities on the wide range of work they are doing to prepare for the future.
“From upgrading the gas network, to industry leading research projects on the future energy system, it is reassuring to hear the focus on delivering energy that is sustainable, affordable and reliable.”
Ms Hobhouse was met by Wales & West Utilities Energy Strategy Director, Chris Clarke, who explained the role biomethane has in the energy system.
Chris said: “We’re delighted to be working with the team at Wykes Farm to inject green gas into the grid. Across Wales and south west England, the gas supply to over 120,000 homes has already been decarbonised through biomethane.
“In the future, green gases like hydrogen and biomethane, alongside smart hybrid heating systems, will support thedecarbonisation of heat, power and transport by 2050.
“Through supporting renewable energy and decarbonising the gas grid we’re playing a key role, not only in heating homes and powering businesses today but delivering a Net Zero carbon future.”