The Ulster Farmers’ Union have attended the 2013 Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) National Conference in London, where the key note address was given by Chris Huhne, the former Energy Minister. The conference brought together industry experts and key industry players from farming, transport, waste, food and drink, AD and utility sectors. UFU Rural Enterprise Chairman Gary Hawkes and UFU Senior Policy Officer Chris Osborne attend the conference on behalf of the UFU.
Speaking after the conference Gary Hawkes said; “The 2013 ADBA conference was a great example of industry coming together to debate and discuss not only what AD can deliver but what both government and industry needs to do to ensure industry delivers its full potential. At the conference we emphasised the need to facilitate small scale capacity AD, utilising only on-farm slurry with no reliance upon imported feedstocks. The benefit of a solution like this would be derived from improved slurry management (namely the mitigation of methane) and cost savings resulting from the heat or electricity produced. After putting forward our case delegates agreed that industry should seek an affordable solution, one that will minimise the need for Renewable Obligation support.”
The UFU also met with OFGEM the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to discuss issues relating to the accreditation of small scale renewables projects which is required for ROC or RHI payment.
