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Helen French, Sustainability Compliance Manager, Feedstock Manager

Helen French

<p>Future Biogas and AstraZeneca today announced that the UK’s first unsubsidised biomethane plant dedicated to fuelling the life sciences sector is operational. Located in Gonerby Moor, Lincolnshire, the plant will provide clean heat for all of AstraZeneca’s R&amp;D and manufacturing in the UK, supporting sustainable production of medicines.</p>
<h3>Headline Figures</h3>
<p>AstraZeneca is the first company in the UK with commitments to using biomethane at scale to fuel the discovery, development and manufacture of medicines.</p>
<p>The Moor Bioenergy plant in Lincolnshire will supply 100 GWh of renewable energy annually to AstraZeneca UK, equivalent to 20% of the Company’s total global gas consumption, displacing approximately 18,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO<sub>2</sub>e) emissions per year from fossil gas.</p>
<p>This partnership supports AstraZeneca’s Ambition Zero Carbon goal to use 100% renewable energy for its own operations by the end of 2025 and achieve science-based net zero by 2045.</p>
<h3>The Launch</h3>
<p>Future Biogas and AstraZeneca today announced that the UK’s first unsubsidised biomethane plant dedicated to fuelling the life sciences sector is operational. Located in Gonerby Moor, Lincolnshire, the plant will provide clean heat for all of AstraZeneca’s R&amp;D and manufacturing in the UK, supporting sustainable production of medicines.</p>
<p>The plant, which will operate 24/7, will generate enough biomethane to heat the equivalent of over 8,000 homes a year and boost the UK&#8217;s green energy capacity. This is another step towards the Company’s ambition to creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for people, society and the planet.</p>
<blockquote><p>We are committed to climate action and innovation in sustainability to decarbonise healthcare. By investing in unsubsidised biomethane capacity, we’re proud to contribute to reducing carbon emissions while strengthening the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure.</p>
<h6>Liz Chatwin, VP, Global Sustainability and SHE at AstraZeneca</h6>
</blockquote>
<p>The plant also features innovative carbon capture technology, which collects carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) produced during biomethane generation. This CO<sub>2</sub> can either be reused in other industries or in the longer-term it can be permanently geologically sequestered underground, removing CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere.</p>
<p>Feedstock supplied to Moor Bioenergy will be crops sourced close to the plant, with local farmers supported to drive sustainable farming practices. Five-year feedstock contracts will offer farmers greater financial security, helping to mitigate the challenges of fluctuating food crop prices and climate change. Feedstock will be certified by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) – an independent body which verifies that crops are traceable and grown in accordance with strict social and environmental criteria .</p>
<p>Philipp Lukas, CEO of Future Biogas, said, &#8220;With the launch of Moor Bioenergy – the UK’s first unsubsidised biomethane facility in partnership with AstraZeneca – we are proving that innovation and bold vision can drive real change. This project is not only about generating clean, renewable gas, it’s a powerful call to all companies to decarbonise industrial gas and heat use.&#8221;</p>
<h3>Notes to editors:</h3>
<p><strong>About Future Biogas</strong></p>
<p>Future Biogas is one of the largest producers of biomethane in the UK. Following investment from 3i Infrastructure plc and RWE Renewables, Future Biogas is working to reshape the biogas industry with its unsubsidised offering – Project Carbon Harvest. This project is helping decarbonise both agriculture and industry by making high-quality, unsubsidised green gas from sustainably grown inputs.</p>
<p>For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.futurebiogas.com">https://www.futurebiogas.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About AstraZeneca</strong></p>
<p>AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal &amp; Metabolism, and Respiratory &amp; Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.</p>
<p>For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.astrazeneca.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.astrazeneca.co.uk</a>.</p>


Future Biogas and AstraZeneca bring the UK’s first unsubsidised biomethane plant online | News | News & Resources | Future Biogas

Future Biogas and AstraZeneca bring the UK’s first unsubsidised biomethane plant online

<p>145+ global organisations sign open letter calling for clarity in GHG Protocol on the role of market instruments for renewable gases: (<a href="https://www.worldbiogasassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Global-letter-GHG-protocol-250521.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.worldbiogasassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Global-letter-GHG-protocol-250521.pdf</a>).</p>
<p>Following the withdrawal of guidance on the use of biomethane certificates in the GHG Protocol,<a href="https://letgreengascount.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> over 145 companies and trade associations</a> from around the world have issued a public joint letter to the governance bodies of the <a href="https://ghgprotocol.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GHG Protocol</a> calling for the key role of market-based instruments to be recognised in the Protocol’s Scope 1 inventory. Their message to the GHG Protocol is simple: Let Green Gas Count.</p>
<p>The GHG Protocol is the world’s leading standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. Widely used by businesses, governments, and organisations globally, it provides a framework for tracking, reporting and reducing emissions. Its influence shapes corporate climate strategies and drives accountability in emission reduction efforts.</p>
<p>Led by the World Biogas Association (WBA), the <a href="https://adbioresources.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association</a> (ADBA), the <a href="https://www.rngcoalition.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas</a>, <a href="https://www.eurogas.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eurogas</a>, and the <a href="https://www.europeanbiogas.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Biogas Association</a> (EBA), the signatories represent economic operators globally responsible for the production, trading and consumption of renewable gaseous fuels and their derivatives. They underline the urgent need for a climate reporting framework that provides rules and certainty for investment in their sectors.</p>
<p>Renewable gases and their derivatives are necessary to decarbonise industry, transport and buildings. To facilitate their rapid deployment, a market-based approach is required to overcome any economic, technical and environmental barriers and inefficiencies arising from the requirement of a physical (local) connection.</p>
<p>As the Corporate Standard of the GHG Protocol is being revised, the signatories urge its governance bodies to include such an approach in the Scope 1 inventory, for both fuel and feedstock applications.</p>
<p>Additionally, the signatories appeal to the governing bodies to issue an interim statement in the first half of 2025, confirming that robust market instruments for renewable gases will be recognised at the end of the Corporate Standard revision process to support the decarbonisation of industries. This would provide stakeholders with clarity and confidence, as the development of revised standards can take several years.</p>
<p>Charlotte Morton OBE, Chief Executive of the World Biogas Association, emphasised the urgency of the issue:</p>
<blockquote><p>The Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s lack of guidance on the use of market-based mechanisms such as biomethane certificates has been suppressing the sector and delaying urgent and meaningful action to reduce global GHG emissions. We cannot afford to wait years for new standards to be developed. The sector needs certainty now to scale up efforts to prevent potent methane emissions while transforming organic wastes into clean, reliable, green gas for heat, power and transport that displaces its fossil equivalents.</p></blockquote>


Let Green Gas Count letter

Let Green Gas Count

<p>In honour of National Apprenticeship Week (Feb 10th-14th), we’re shining a spotlight on Dana Sela, an apprentice working at Future Biogas. Having been with the company for over two years, Dana shares her journey into the world of biogas, the challenges and rewards of her role, and advice for anyone considering an apprenticeship.</p>
<h3>A Career Change Toward Practicality</h3>
<p>Dana’s journey to Future Biogas wasn’t linear. Initially planning a career in law, she realised her true passion lay in hands-on, practical work. After consulting with a college career advisor, she pivoted to electrical studies. “I’ve always been more of a practical or hands-on person,” Dana explains. This decision set her on a path toward an apprenticeship that would combine technical skill development with real-world experience.</p>
<p>When asked how she discovered Future Biogas, Dana recalls an email circulated by her college, listing apprenticeship opportunities. After consulting with her tutor about the reliability and potential of various programs, she applied to Future Biogas. “I went through the interview and all the different steps, and here I am now,” she says.</p>
<h3>Life as an Apprentice</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3829" src="https://cms-live.futurebiogas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/future-biogas-news-resources-insights-research-dana-sela-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-future-biogas-apprentice-image-one.jpg" alt="Dana Sela: A Day in the Life of a Future Biogas Apprentice | Insights &amp; Research | News &amp; Resources | Future Biogas" width="880" height="560" /></p>
<p>Dana’s apprenticeship involves rotation between multiple sites and responsibilities. Her primary site is Merlin Renewables, but she spends time at Ridge Road Energy and others as part of a program that blends site support and maintenance rotations. “At the moment, we’re doing two months with maintenance and one month on site,” she explains. This varied schedule ensures apprentices gain exposure to the full spectrum of biogas plant operations.</p>
<p>A typical day on site includes conducting daily checks, monitoring plant readings, and troubleshooting issues. Dana emphasises the importance of learning from experienced maintenance teams whenever possible, as her apprenticeship is building toward a specialised role in that area. “I’ve really built on my understanding of how the plants work, what to check and why. It’s about knowing what’s normal and what’s not,” she notes.</p>
<p>Reflecting on the Experience<br />
When asked how the apprenticeship compares to her initial expectations, Dana admits she wasn’t sure what to anticipate. “I didn’t know anyone who had done an apprenticeship before, so I didn’t really have anyone to talk to about it,” she says. Despite the unknowns, she’s found the hands-on learning approach invaluable. “The time I’ve spent in my apprenticeship has given me experience I wouldn’t have necessarily received at university.”</p>
<h3>Advice for Aspiring Apprentices</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3830" src="https://cms-live.futurebiogas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/future-biogas-news-resources-insights-research-dana-sela-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-future-biogas-apprentice-image-two.jpg" alt="Dana Sela: A Day in the Life of a Future Biogas Apprentice | Insights &amp; Research | News &amp; Resources | Future Biogas" width="880" height="560" /></p>
<p>Dana’s advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship, especially with Future Biogas, is simple: go for it—but only if you’re committed. “If you’re not going to be serious about it, you’re not going to get the most out of it,” she states.</p>
<p>For Dana, the practical experience gained during her apprenticeship has been a major advantage. “You’ve got the three or four years of experience, and you’ve already got a company that may potentially want to keep you on. So, you’ve got that job almost secured, and you’re trained for it as well,” she explains.</p>
<h3>Looking Ahead</h3>
<p>Dana’s journey exemplifies the value of apprenticeships for those seeking a practical, experience-based route into their careers. With Future Biogas, she has found a company that not only trains but also supports apprentices in developing the skills needed to thrive in the industry.</p>
<p>For anyone considering their next steps, Dana’s story is a testament to the rewards of taking the leap into an apprenticeship. Whether you’re pivoting from a different career path or starting fresh, Future Biogas might just be the opportunity you’re looking for.</p>


Dana Sela: A Day in the Life of a Future Biogas Apprentice | Insights & Research | News & Resources | Future Biogas

Dana Sela: A Day in the Life of a Future Biogas Apprentice

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<h3>5 Year</h3>
<p>Offtake options &#8211; fixed pricing linked to CPI</p>
<h3>10 Year</h3>
<p>Offtake options &#8211; fixed pricing linked to CPI</p>
<h3>15 Year</h3>
<p>Offtake options &#8211; fixed pricing linked to CPI</p>


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<h4>Zero carbon solution</h4>
<p>all independently audited with life cycle analysis and carbon intensity reporting.</p>
<h4>Unsubsidised low emission  biomethane</h4>
<p>means your company assumes full attribution for all climate benefits.</p>
<h4>Fully additional biomethane</h4>
<p>is 100% attributable to you, so you can operate with integrity and without fear of greenwashing.</p>


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<p>Future Biogas can virtually sleeve unsubsidised biomethane via the existing gas grid to meet your gas demand. We develop new build new fully additional anaerobic digesters with Carbon Capture to meet demand. Green gas is load balanced through the grid with a full chain of custody proving that the gas you consume is met by equal green gas development.</p>
