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Britain's leading cheese-making farm could show the whey to net zero

  • Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheesemaker, produces its own green gas, entirely powering itself and working with Wales & West Utilities to power parts of the local community
  • Local MP and industry leaders visited the farm to hear how biomethane could decarbonise Britain’s homes and businesses.

The gas network is urging government to set out more detail on how it will use the gas in the transition to net zero – potentially saving millions of tons of carbon dioxide every year

An idyllic farming community in the depths of Somerset could hold the secret to powering Britain’s gas-reliant homes and businesses with renewable energy, as heard by industry leaders on Friday 28 February 2025.

At a visit today at Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheesemaker, Wales & West Utilities (W&WU) COO Rob Long was joined by representatives from Future Energy Networks, National Farmers’ Union and the Food and Drink Federation.

There, they heard of how the farm is entirely self-sufficient in green energy by using biomethane produced in its cheese-making – as well as the 6,000 homes and businesses in the local Somerset community. Local MP Sarah Dyke expressed her warm support for the farm from afar, applauding its position as an innovative leader in green gas.

Biomethane is the unsung hero of green alternatives to natural gas. Made from biodegradable waste like manure and the organic by-products of cheesemaking, it saved 1.2 million tonnes of carbon across the country in the last year – the equivalent of taking 923,000 cars off the road. However, only 2.5% of farm waste is currently used to produce the green gas.

There is enough biomethane already in the system to heat 20,500 homes in Somerset and 950,000 homes across the gas networks – making it the most successful heat decarbonisation technology delivered in the country.

Wyke Farms, with its rich historical heritage as one of the first UK grocery brands since 1861, is leading the way in innovation with its approach – and gas distribution network W&WU is urging the government to take further action to ensure biomethane makes up an integral part of the UK energy mix in the transition to net zero.

Sarah Dyke, Member of Parliament for Glastonbury and Somerton, said:

"I continue to be impressed by the work that Wyke Farms have done to achieve net zero with their operation. The investment, expertise and time they have put into the biogas operation, in order to make the world's first carbon neutral Cheddar is nothing short of extraordinary and demonstrates what is possible when we really commit to climate goals.

“Not only are their products absolutely delicious, sustainable and local, they are part of Somerset's heritage as a cheese producing region, and now, are creating an incredible legacy of climate leadership for the future."

Rob Long, COO of Wales & West Utilities, said:

“Wyke Farms is a clear success story of how farms, industry, and businesses can collaborate to serve local communities while forging a greener future – if the government acts now to support the future of biomethane, the potential to be unlocked is vast.

“We’re proud to bring Wyke Farms green gas into our network as we work to decarbonise the homes and businesses that rely on natural gas – alongside 20 other producers in Wales and the South West, together providing capacity to meet the annual demand of around 160,000 average homes.

"Biomethane will be vital in the route to net zero – reducing emissions without disrupting customers.”

Richard Clothier, Managing Director of Wyke Farms said:

“Only 2.5% of organic farm waste goes into Biogas to generate power and gas. There is a huge untapped potential on UK farms to utilise these waste streams, help meet UK emission targets and produce more home generated green energy.

“The spent material from Biogas also makes a very usable organic fertiliser, also lowering emissions. This can improve the waste control on farms and also diversify farm businesses making them more robust – the model at Wyke proves this.”

James Earl, CEO of the Future Energy Networks (FEN), said:

“Biomethane isn’t just an energy story, it’s also an environmental one. There are currently 128 biomethane sites connected to the gas grid with the capacity to heat one million homes. Increased biomethane production can play an important role not only in accelerating the decarbonisation of our nation but will also contribute to a circular economy.”