The UK’s journey to net zero is fraught with challenges, and the decarbonisation of heat is one of the most daunting. While electrification dominates the conversation, Orlando Minervino, Decarbonisation Strategy Lead at Xoserve, poses a compelling question: Is the UK overlooking biomethane as a potential solution? The DNV’s 2025 UK Energy Transition Outlook warns that without clear plans for decarbonising buildings, the UK might miss its 2050 net-zero target. The transition of 23 million homes from gas heating to electricity is fraught with grid capacity challenges. Given this risk, energy transition leaders must thoroughly examine all fuel sources, including biomethane, to maximise their potential for both short and long-term solutions.
Biomethane, a rapidly growing renewable energy source, offers a promising alternative. With over 700 biomethane plants in Britain, a figure that has doubled over the last decade, and France leading the way in Europe, biomethane is proving its worth. Produced through anaerobic digestion of organic materials like food waste, agricultural residues, or sewage, biomethane is chemically identical to natural gas but with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it ideal for heating applications and a crucial player in achieving net-zero goals.
One of biomethane’s standout advantages is its compatibility with existing gas infrastructure. It can be injected directly into the gas grid without costly upgrades, and it provides a consistent energy output that balances supply and demand effectively. Moreover, biomethane can be carbon-negative if produced from waste materials that would otherwise decompose and release methane into the atmosphere. This creates a circular economy that complements the waste sector and reduces harmful emissions.
However, the production and upgrading of biomethane require energy, which may currently come from fossil fuels. This is similar to other energy generation processes, where 38.3% of Britain’s electricity generation comes from fossil fuels. But there is potential to use surplus renewable energy in the future for biomethane production, further reducing its carbon footprint.
Realising biomethane’s full potential requires clear and consistent policy frameworks. The UK has two government support schemes: the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) and the Green Gas Levy (GGL). The GGSS incentivises biomethane production by providing payments for every unit injected into the gas grid, while the GGL funds the scheme through obligations on gas suppliers. The extension of the GGSS to March 2028 is a significant win for the industry, making biomethane a more financially viable proposition. However, the December Clean Energy Action Plan from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero acknowledged biomethane’s potential but lacked concrete plans for its integration into the gas network.
By 2050, the UK aims to produce approximately 30 to 40 TWh of biomethane, contributing to the net-zero goal. However, this figure may be too modest, with a biomethane target that is up to three times greater achievable. A national biomethane strategy and roadmap could provide a long-term plan for producers, investors, and developers, making clear how the fuel should be used across different sectors. This strategy could include clear production targets, grid integration plans, and mechanisms to encourage biomethane blending into the natural gas network, such as a gas-blending mandate.
Streamlining planning and permitting processes for anaerobic digestion plants and biomethane upgrading facilities is also crucial. This challenge applies broadly to all renewable energy technologies, but addressing it could accelerate biomethane’s deployment across Great Britain.
Up against the UK’s ambitious emissions targets and the challenges of a full electrification strategy for heating, biomethane stands out as an integral energy source. As a ‘good twin’ to natural gas, biomethane provides a resourceful pathway that uses existing infrastructure and feedstock. Its production could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions for heating buildings and divert waste from landfills, contributing to a circular economy. Despite its rapid growth, biomethane’s potential remains largely underestimated. Current government incentives are a step in the right direction, but more could be achieved. A comprehensive biomethane strategy is essential—one that includes ambitious production targets, seamless integration into the gas grid, and the establishment of a robust market through mechanisms such as gas-blending mandates and streamlined permitting processes.
To achieve a fully decarbonised energy system, the UK must pursue a diversified approach. Biomethane is more than just a complementary fuel; it is a scalable, environmentally beneficial solution that can play a key role in the future energy mix. Maximising the potential of all viable energy sources is essential for a successful clean energy transition.
