Ofgem Review Group on Energy Market Issues for Biomethane Projects

The purpose of the group is to provide a forum for informed debate on the potential barriers to the commercial development of biomethane projects within the energy market and the appropriate means of addressing such barriers.  Participation within the group will require members who are committed to providing resource to develop the evidence base and analysis.  The EMIB review group has been convened to support the UK Government’s anaerobic digestion strategy and the related policy instruments, such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).  DECC has indicated that the replacement of fossil natural gas with renewable natural gas from anaerobic digestion could contribute around 7 TWh/annum to the UK’s renewable energy targets for 2020. Therefore the identification and removal of any unnecessary barriers (regulatory or otherwise) is an important enabling step.  Ofgem is keen to facilitate debate on this important issue for gas market development, in support of Government and consistent with Ofgem's statutory duties in respect of promoting sustainable development and protecting consumers interests.  Ofgem's contribution, in addition to co-ordinating information and facilitating debate, will be to provide advice to the group on how the current regulatory framework operates and what the effects of regulatory change might be.