Last Updated on 18/07/2022

Green Gas has made the headlines this week – it has reached a milestone whereby it supplies 1 million UK households. According to the Green Gas Certification Scheme, that’s an incredible thirteen-fold rise since 2017 in use of biomethane, which is made from food and farm waste. There are now 60 Biomethane plants in the UK, and supporters of the technology reckon that by 2050 green gas could supply as many as 10 million UK homes for heating and cooking. Energy minister Claire Perry said the government has invested £656m into biomethane to reduce dependence on natural gas extracted from the ground.

Most big suppliers now have green tariffs, although few are 100% renewable, and only one, Green Energy UK, guarantees that all its gas is green. Others offer frack-free natural gas.

But is green gas competitively priced?

According to recent research, the big six energy companies are still charging over the odds for green tariffs. For example, the cheapest British Gas green tariff costs more than £200 per year more than its cheapest non-green tariff. And currently, SSE doesn’t offer a green tariff.

However, that does not mean that green gas is always more expensive – some green tariffs in the market are much cheaper than the cheapest tariffs at the big six. But consumers should check the suppliers’ green credentials and service. Don’t assume that just because a provider offers 100% renewable electricity, it must offer 100% green gas too. For example, Bulb, currently the most popular cheap green tariff – generates 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, but just 10% of its gas is green. Green Energy UK promises 100% green gas and electricity, but tends to have some of the priciest tariffs (although only slightly above the cost of the British Gas standard dual fuel price).

Why is Green Gas more eco-friendly than natural gas?

If left to escape into the atmosphere, methane is over 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2. Capturing and burning it instead as Green Gas releases the same amount of carbon than the organic matter originally absorbed, meaning no net negative impact on the climate.

Biomethane as a vehicle fuel, known as bio-CNG, delivers all the benefits of natural gas, but with clear advantage; it is renewable and sustainable. Compared to diesel there is around 72% reduction in CO2 emissions. There are significant economic benefits for fleet owners switching to natural gas vehicles, with financial savings of between 40% – 50% compared to diesel.

The UK government is on record as saying: ‘Biomethane-to-grid is a key renewable technology that has the potential to make a significant contribution to the UK’s 2020 renewable energy commitments’. This means that the biomethane-to-grid sector has significant government support. It supports the AD industry via the Renewable Heat Incentive and places strict sustainability criteria on the biomethane production process. This ensures that any crops used as feedstock cannot be grown on land that has been converted from valuable natural habits, and that the production process has a carbon footprint 60% lower than the European average for emissions from heat generation. Many producers achieve reductions well in excess of 60% and AD plants also provide a valuable method for dealing with organic waste products, while generating a high-quality fertiliser than is used by farmers around the UK.

Interested in sourcing Green Gas for your business?

So how can your business or household join the UK energy revolution, enabling you to demonstrate your commitment to operating sustainably?

The great news is that GreenBuying.co.uk, through its green gas supply broker partners, are now ready to offer your business or household the ability to receive green gas supply. We would be delighted to facilitate the supply of competitively priced green gas to any business that are looking to reduce their reported emissions.

To proceed without obligation, CLICK HERE where you will be sent to a page asking you to complete a short enquiry form. Once we receive this, we will be in touch to guide you on your journey to becoming more sustainable in your energy consumption.

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