British households are today cooking and heating their homes with renewable gas, produced from human waste, for the first time.

Biomethane gas from Didcot sewage works in Oxfordshire will produce enough renewable gas to supply up to 200 homes.

The landmark project at Didcot - a joint venture between Thames Water, British Gas and Scotia Gas Networks - marks an important milestone in the UK's efforts to decarbonise the gas grid and move towards a low carbon economy. It is hoped this will be the first of many similar projects.

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Biomethane from all sources will make a contribution to decarbonising the gas grid by delivering renewable heat to households through the existing gas network and central heating boilers. According to a study by National Grid, it could account for at least 15 per cent of the domestic gas market by 2020.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said: "It's not every day that a Secretary of State can announce that, for the first time ever in the UK, people can cook and heat their homes with gas generated from sewage.

"This is an historic day for the companies involved, for energy from waste technologies, and for progress to increase the amount of renewable energy in the UK.

"I know there are other similar projects across the country that are close to completion, so this is just the start of a new era of renewable energy."

Sewage arrives at the Didcot works from some of Thames Water's 14m customers to be treated and recycled back to the environment.

The project took six months to complete and cost £2.5 million.

(CD/KMcA)