A new research report has definitively concluded that biomethane, a gas derived from organic waste, is not a viable solution for the widespread heating of UK homes, despite consistent promotion by fossil fuel industry lobbyists.
The study, commissioned by the MCS Foundation charity, found that gas sourced primarily from digesting manure, sewage, and other farm waste will never be an adequate alternative to the broader adoption of heat pumps.
While proponents of biomethane have argued it represents a low-carbon substitute for fossil fuel gas and would be less disruptive than replacing the UK’s existing gas infrastructure with heat pumps, the hard data contradicts this claim.
The report’s findings indicate that due to limitations on the scalability of the raw materials—manure, farm waste, and sewage—biomethane could only account for a maximum of 18% of the UK’s current gas demand by 2050.
This figure highlights the severe constraint on supply, making it impossible for biomethane to cater to the energy needs of the vast majority of British households.
Although the gas may hold a role within certain industries and on farms, the research strongly suggests its potential has been overstated in the context of national domestic heating.
The report effectively debunks the narrative pushed by lobbyists and reinforces the need for alternative, scalable low-carbon heating solutions like heat pumps to meet the UK’s environmental targets.
The study, commissioned by the MCS Foundation charity, found that gas sourced primarily from digesting manure, sewage, and other farm waste will never be an adequate alternative to the broader adoption of heat pumps.
While proponents of biomethane have argued it represents a low-carbon substitute for fossil fuel gas and would be less disruptive than replacing the UK’s existing gas infrastructure with heat pumps, the hard data contradicts this claim.
The report’s findings indicate that due to limitations on the scalability of the raw materials—manure, farm waste, and sewage—biomethane could only account for a maximum of 18% of the UK’s current gas demand by 2050.
This figure highlights the severe constraint on supply, making it impossible for biomethane to cater to the energy needs of the vast majority of British households.
Although the gas may hold a role within certain industries and on farms, the research strongly suggests its potential has been overstated in the context of national domestic heating.
The report effectively debunks the narrative pushed by lobbyists and reinforces the need for alternative, scalable low-carbon heating solutions like heat pumps to meet the UK’s environmental targets.