National Grid Gas Distribution, Advance Plasma Power, and Progressive Energy have joined forces in a plant that uses 10,000t household waste each year to produce substitute natural gas.

The gas will be used to fuel heavy goods vehicles and injected into the gas distribution network to supply homes and businesses. When fully operational the plant will claim  greenhouse gas emissions of more than 5000 tonnes per year.

The companies said the decarbonisation of domestic heat and heavy goods transportation are two significant challenges facing the UK. If replicate they say the technology cold provide 100TWh (terawatt hours) of green gas per year – enough to fuel all Britain’s HGVs or meet one third of domestic heating demand.

David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association said: “The UK’s gas distribution networks  are working with industry partners to drive innovation in green gas technology which will provide clean, affordable and sustainable energy to meet the challenges of decarbonisation.

“The use of green gas, such as BioSNG, biomethane and hydrogen, will also make efficient use of the UK’s extensive gas network infrastructure meaning costs and disruption to customers are minimised.

We have the opportunity to become a world leader in green gas and low carbon network technology and today’s launch demonstrates the progress that we are making in this increasingly important market.”