A record number of homes in the North of England were fuelled by biomethane in 2020.

According to figures compiled by Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the amount of biomethane produced increased by nearly 50% compared to 2019, meaning more homes than ever received renewable gas (50,000 homes equivalent).

The rise was due to an increase in the number of biomethane connections and NGN creating more flexibility in its network to accept greater quantities of biomethane.

Chris Hogg, supply strategy lead for NGN, said: “We’re delighted to see such an upturn in biomethane injections into our grid, against the backdrop of the pandemic, which has proved as challenging for our producers as it has for many other businesses.

“With injection points now at locations across our region including Durham, Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Gateshead, we’re proud that more customers across our region will have received a cleaner source of gas during 2020. We’re confident that by working with producers we can increase production further in 2021.”

In June 2020, the UK committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, around 85% of UK homes are connected to the gas grid, with domestic heat responsible for around 30% of CO2 emissions. Biomethane can play a vital role in helping to cut emissions.

NGN first accepted biomethane into the gas grid in 2014 and since then the quantity of gas has increased year-on-year. In the last 18 months, the number of biomethane producers connected to the grid has increased from 10 to 17, which has boosted production.