Government gets ambitious on biofuel production through anaerobic digestion

The government has outlined plans to be "far more ambitious" in its efforts to produce biofuel through the anaerobic digestion of waste.

Climate change minister Greg Barker explains that "turning waste into something usable is a no-brainer" and that he wants to look into ways to make better use of anaerobic digestion.

As part of this desire, he and environment minister Lord Henley jointly chaired a roundtable on July 6th to discuss with industry figures the possibilities for the future of anaerobic digestion in biofuel production.

It is believed that seven per cent of the UK's renewable energy requirements could ultimately be served through anaerobic digestion of the 100 million tonnes of suitable waste generated by farms and food leftovers each year.

Mr Barker points out that this would have an additional benefit due to the reduction in waste going to landfill sites that would be achieved.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change is looking into biomass as a source of fuel, as well as for renewable plastics and natural fibres.