Gas from waste could heat almost half the homes in the UK
Gas from waste could heat almost half the homes in the UK, according to a new report from National Grid.
It says obtaining more gas from waste will help cut carbon emissions, improve energy security and compensate for the shortage of landfill sites.
Renewable gas from landfill sites and sewage works provide 1% of the UK's gas at present.
Today's report says an extra £10 billion investment could increase that to between 5 and 18%.
The cost would be similar to that of other forms of renewable energy.
'Over-optimistic'
It says biogas could deliver up to two thirds of UK renewable energy targets by 2020. Critics believe the report is over-optimistic and seeks to capitalise on National Grid's control over the UK's gas pipelines.
Today's report will contribute to the growing debate about heat, which produces 47% of the UK's CO2 emissions - much more than electricity or transport. The government will soon launch a consultation on a heat strategy.
Renewable gas is currently obtained through anaerobic digestion (microbes) or by super-heating waste to drive off the gas. The report says both these processes create much less pollution than incineration.
