The new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant to be built by Tamar Energy at Halstead, Essex, will be constructed on land adjacent to the Bluebridge Industrial Estate with the construction phase expected to last for around 12 months creating five full-time jobs once the plant is operational.
There are now over 100 AD plants operating throughout the UK with many more in Europe where the technology has been operating successfully for many years. Germany alone has around 7,000 such plants.
“An AD facility is a real step forward for Essex’s green credentials” said Thomas Burgess, Tamar Energy’s delivery project manager. “It means the county’s organic food waste is treated as a valuable resource capable of generating renewable energy, rather than something just to be got rid of. We understand that every AD plant is not just located in a place but within a community. We expect people to have questions about how new, more environmentally sustainable ways to treat food and organic waste will both affect and benefit them. Tamar Energy’s aim is to be a good neighbour to the people of Halstead through the lifetime of the project, working together to make a positive impact for future generations.”
The project received planning permission in March 201 and will be capable of accepting 45,000 tonnes of food waste per year from local homes and businesses. Much of the waste currently generated has to be transported elsewhere or tipped into a landfill site. Tamar Energy has promised to minimise disruption during both construction and operation and the company is a member of the flagship Considerate Constructors Scheme. It is aiming to be one of the UK’s leading developers and operators of AD plants by 2018 with a target of more than 40 plants around the country. These plants should be able to generate enough renewable energy for more than 200,000 homes.
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