UK-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca and Future Biogas, a UK operator and developer of AD plants, have together launched the UK’s first large biomethane plant that was built without public subsidies, showing how industry can transition to cleaner energy without government funding.
The Moor Bioenergy facility, located in Gonerby Moor in Lincolnshire, will supply 100 gigawatt hours of renewable energy annually, supplying 20% of AstraZeneca’s operational gas needs worldwide and eliminating approximately 18,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions per year in the process.
AstraZeneca has said the project supports its announced Ambition Zero Carbon goal of running on 100% renewable energy by 2025 and reaching Net Zero as an organisation by 2045.
Liz Chatwin, VP of Global Sustainability and Safety, Health and Environment at AstraZeneca, said the project aligned with the company’s broader climate commitments. “By investing in unsubsidised biomethane capacity, we’re proud to contribute to reducing carbon emissions while strengthening the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure,” she added.
With continuous operation planned, the facility is slated to generate enough biomethane to heat over 8,000 homes annually. A key feature is its carbon capture technology, which collects CO2 from the biomethane production process. Future Biogas said the captured biogenic CO2 could be used in industry, food and drink, or sequestered underground to block future emissions.
Feedstock for the plant will be locally sourced crops, with Future Biogas securing five-year feedstock contracts to support sustainable farming and offer financial stability to local farmers. The company said that all crops will be certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification.
Philipp Lukas, CEO of Future Biogas, called it a milestone for the UK’s green energy transition and an example for companies aiming to decarbonise industrial gas and heat use.
