Nether Stowey, a rural community nestled in the heart of Somerset is celebrating a remarkable milestone – ten years of heating homes and powering businesses with locally produced renewable biomethane from a nearby farm.
This pioneering achievement was marked by a special community event hosted by Wales & West Utilities (WWU), the gas emergency and pipeline service, bringing residents, local councillors and school children, and green energy leaders to reflect on a decade of sustainable progress.
For ten years WWU has partnered with local biomethane producer, Cannington Enterprises, to supply renewable gas to Nether Stowey and its neighbouring village, Over Stowey, with a population of around 1,400 benefitting from the partnership. Together, a model has been created for how rural communities can embrace clean energy and reduce carbon emissions without changing the way they live.
The local farm takes organic waste from sources like supermarkets, farms, domestic food waste, restaurants and schools to transform it into a green gas. This waste then goes through anaerobic digestion, a process where microorganisms break down waste in the absence of oxygen to create biogas.
When biomethane is made, it produces a byproduct called digestate - which is the waste from the process. Local company, RocketGro, use the digestate as a renewable fertiliser, which improves soil health and support crop growth.
This reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste decomposition and so, biomethane is classed as renewable. The biogas generated is upgraded onsite to biomethane - which is very similar to natural gas. So similar in fact, that customers do not need to change their appliances – and can continue to heat their homes and cook as usual.
A technology called reverse compression to increase the pressure within the system to match that of the existing gas grid. Once complete the gas is ready to be used in the current gas network or used as vehicle fuel.
Cannington Enterprises' biomethane plant generates 1200scmh of gas - enough to supply neighbouring towns Nether Stowey and Over Stowey - with their entire gas demand. In fact, on a mild day, the gas generated at Cannington Enterprises travels further across the network - supplying Cannington village.
Matt Hindle, Head of Net Zero & Sustainability at WWU said: "Across our network, Wales & West Utilities currently transport enough biomethane to meet the annual demand of around 160,000 homes. Thanks to the commitment of organisations like Cannington Enterprises and RocketGro, we’re turning waste into renewable energy for communities across the region. Research shows the UK could generate over 50 TWh of biomethane by 2030 – rising to 120 TWh by 2050 – making this a vital part of our journey to net zero."
Alan Armstead, Director of Operations & Commercial at Cannington Enterprises added: “In the last decade, the number of anaerobic digestion plants and biomethane production has increased from three plants nationally to around 100. This trend is mirrored across Europe as the drive for low-carbon renewable energy gathers pace. Cannington Enterprises are delighted to play our part in reaching net zero and look forward to implementing new carbon capture technology in 2026 – with the aim to reduce CO2 emissions by c15,000 tonnes annually.”
Toby Thomas, Managing Director & Co-Founder, RocketGro: “This brilliant partnership helps us produce a wide range of organic approved environmentally-friendly professional grade composts, soil improver and mulch – which we distribute to hundreds of garden centres throughout the UK. RocketGro are proud to represent locally sourced, British, and eco values in action.”
As Nether Stowey celebrates this milestone, the message is clear: local action can drive national change. With continued investment and collaboration, communities like this will play a crucial role in building a cleaner, greener future for the UK.