Unlocking the potential of Landfill Biomethane in the UK [Part 2: Zoom in – The advantages of Landfill Biomethane]
While the UK has made significant progress in biogas development, landfill biomethane remains an underutilized resource. One of the main challenges to its deployment is the competition with subsidized electricity generation from landfill gas. However, landfill biomethane should be recognized as the Best Available Technique (BAT) for landfill gas utilization whenever it is technically and economically viable.
Compared to electricity generation from landfill gas, biomethane offers a far more efficient and sustainable pathway for energy recovery. It delivers nearly three times more renewable energy to the market while also achieving twice the reduction in CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, landfill electricity generation results in substantial energy losses, with 60 to 70 percent of landfill gas energy wasted as heat. Biomethane, by contrast, maximizes the value of this resource by injecting it directly into the grid or supplying it to end users, ensuring that more of the captured energy is put to productive use.
The following analysis further illustrates how landfill biomethane outperforms landfill electricity generation in terms of energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and overall sustainability.
Recognizing this potential and implementing the right policy framework will be essential for scaling up this technology and fully integrating landfill biomethane into the UK’s energy transition.
At Waga Energy, we are committed to advancing landfill biomethane as a strategic solution for decarbonisation and energy security. With the necessary support, this proven technology can play a key role in reducing emissions while delivering reliable, renewable energy at scale.