Go-ahead for UK's first Biogas Plant

A Somerset company is celebrating after planners gave the go ahead for them to build the first biogas energy producing generator in Somerset.

Cannington Cold Stores, near Bridgwater, submitted their far-reaching plans to Sedgemoor District Council over six months ago, and immediately encountered opposition, as well as support, from a number of bodies and individual groups. Over the months, the plans were altered several times to take into account all the concerns voiced by objectors and last week Managing Director Tim Roe gave a post-planning meeting presentation where he explained the innovative process that leads to the generation of energy.

With support from Somerset County Council and leading experts in the field of renewable energy, planners were happy to give the go ahead.

"We are absolutely delighted with the decision" said Tim Roe "We have been working towards this for a long time. The scheme will allow us to meet our own energy requirements and continue to provide employment for the current workforce, as well as providing surplus electricity to the national grid, equivalent to the needs of about 200 houses".

Cannington Cold Stores is run by the Roe family who have farmed the 400-acre Swang Farm for generations. The Cold Store company has been developed over a number of years as part of a diversification programme to help combat agricultural decline and, with their high use of electricity in the plant, they made the decision to generate their own, using maize that will be grown on their own, and neighbouring farms. There is also the possibility that they may be able to use yoghurt residue in the plant, which is presently being taken a considerable distance for disposal, thus helping to reduce road usage.

With numerous environmental benefits, biogas is an effective, renewable, non-fossil fuel that does not compound the greenhouse effect. Naturally grown crops such as maize undergo natural anaerobic digestion in an oxygen-free environment and once "digested" the end product can be returned to the fields as a rich natural fertiliser. The natural gas (methane) powers a simple diesel-type engine with a generator producing the required electricity.

Work will soon begin on the construction of the biogas scheme which is expected to take nine months.