Half of Scotland’s gas demand could be met through biomethane production by 2050, according to a report from the Green Gas Taskforce published with SGN. The country could also add £10bn ($13.2bn) to its economy while creating around 8,000 jobs.
The report found that there is enough sustainable feedstock in Scotland to generate 8TWh of biomethane by 2030 and 19TWh by 2050, equivalent to around 50% of Scotland’s current economy-wide gas demand.
The extra capacity could supply enough renewable gas to heat the equivalent of 76% of Scottish homes.
This could be achieved by tapping into the Scottish farming sector. Today, only 2.5% of organic farm waste is used to make biomethane.
Government figures suggest that the country produces around 1.2 million tonnes of organic waste each year from all sources (including both farming and other sectors).
Beyond farms, Scotland generates over one million tonnes of food and drink waste annually, with more than 600,000 tonnes coming from households alone. Distillery by-products from Scotland’s whisky industry are already among the country’s largest feedstocks for biomethane production.
“As a low carbon gas, we see enormous potential for biomethane to play a key role as part of a diverse energy mix that takes advantage of Scotland’s world-leading renewable energy opportunities,” said Simon Kilonback, CEO of SGN.
“In Scotland, there is already enough biomethane production capacity connected to our gas network to decarbonise the equivalent use of more than 10% of all Scottish homes on gas.”
Around 65% of Scotland is farmland. Nationwide, agriculture generates 1.2 million tonnes of organic waste annually ©Shutterstock
Around 25 biomethane plants are already connected to SGN’s Scottish gas network, with a further nine projects currently in development.
The report says expanding the sector would also strengthen domestic energy security, with around 85p ($1.12) of every £1 ($1.32) invested expected to remain within the UK economy through local feedstocks, construction, operations and supply chains.
To unlock the opportunity, the Green Gas Taskforce calls for a dedicated Scottish biomethane strategy, alongside long-term policy support beyond the current Green Gas Support Scheme, recognition of biomethane within emissions trading policy and incentives for greenhouse gas removals linked to anaerobic digestion.
The report comes as biomethane is receiving renewed political attention across Europe. Last week, the European Commission launched its , a platform designed to connect producers, buyers and investors in a bid to accelerate deployment across the bloc.
While Scotland is no longer part of the EU, the report suggests the country is well positioned to capitalise on growing demand for renewable gas if it can establish the policy framework needed to unlock investment.
The report also comes as industry groups push for greater recognition of renewable gases within global carbon accounting rules.
Last week, organisations including the World Biogas Association and European Biogas Association urged the to better recognise market-based instruments, arguing that doing so would help unlock investment in biomethane and other low-carbon gaseous fuels.
