As the new Coalition Government puts a 'huge increase' in anaerobic digestion at the top of their coalition agreement, the industry is now set for radical growth - 2 plants built each week over the next 10 years - to meet the UK's renewable energy targets.
With such firm foundations and a lack of capacity, now is the time to enter the UK market.
UK's first AD and biogas trade show
An indication of the industry's meteoric rise to the top of the Government’s environmental agenda is the massive turnout expected for the country's first ever anaerobic digestion and biogas trade show UK AD & Biogas 2010 on 7-8 July in the NEC, Birmingham, hosted by The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA). They've reported a massive surge of interest and delegates since the Government’s announcement on 11 May.
UK AD & Biogas 2010 is the industry event focussing exclusively on the anaerobic digestion and biogas industries. Following on from the success of ADBA's National Conference in December 2009 UK AD & Biogas 2010 which includes over 100 exhibitors, a comprehensive two day conference plus free workshops and seminars, will bring together leading industry professionals across all sectors of the anaerobic digestion and biogas industries to share best practice, expertise and solutions and to debate key issues.
Market worth £600-800 million
Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of ADBA states “there couldn’t be a better time to enter the UK AD and biogas markets, with our new Government’s commitment to a huge growth in the industry we now have the challenge of delivering this. The UK will need to build approximately two plants every week for the next 10 years in order to meet its renewable energy targets and we currently do not have enough UK developers and suppliers to meet this rate of delivery. UK AD & Biogas will be a key opportunity for overseas suppliers to not only have a chance to win contracts for the next 12 months - worth in the region of £600 to £800 million - but to also understand fully UK legislation, regulations and current issues. You cannot miss this show if you are interested in the UK market!”
UK Environment Minister backs AD and biogas
Under the new coalition, anaerobic digestion and biogas - using farming, household and industrial food waste to generate energy - looks set to enter a golden age. While the name might not exactly be catchy, Environment Minister Chris Huhne has spoken keenly about his plans to see more plants being built in 2010. Following lobbying by ABDA, the government is putting anaerobic digestion and biogas as critical keystones in their strategy to hit their carbon emissions targets.
"It's a welcome announcement from the Government," says ADBA Chairman Lord Rupert Redesdale, "now, the challenge for ADBA and our members is to make anaerobic digestion sexy, and the most popular and exciting renewable energy in 2010!" The market for anaerobic digestion and biogas has been smashed open as investors, local authorities and developers are beginning to see its potential. “There needs to be exponential growth,” says ADBA “the UK has fewer than 20 agricultural anaerobic digesters producing electricity - compared to Germany where anaerobic digestion is the fastest growing renewable technology with 5,000 plants and more on the way. With such an underdeveloped market the UK cannot afford to wait any longer.