Anaerobic Digestion plants could become more of the norm across the North East thanks to a significant investment by UK Steel Enterprise.

JFS & Associates, an alternative energy company which was established just a month ago, has won backing by the Tata Steel subsidiary and aims to work closely with the farming sector to set up 25 AD plants within the next five years.

The Stokesley-based business is currently building its first AD plant in Cumbria and is seeking planning permission for three more in the North East.

 

AD has been ear marked by the Government as a way of diverting waste away from landfill, generating renewable energy and creating green jobs. It works by collecting, treating and breaking down food and farm waste to produce biogas, which is burnt to create heat and electricity,  and digestate which can be used as fertiliser.

The North East boasts more than 200 food and drink companies and creates around 85,000 tonnes of waste each year, meaning there is significant potential for small scale and commercial AD plants to handle this waste. However, at the moment, the use of AD technology in the region, as well as the UK as a whole,  is widely underdeveloped, with fewer than 100 operational plants across the UK, compared to around 7000 in Germany.

Simon Hamilton, regional manager of UK Steel Enterprise, said: “JFS & Associates came to us with an excellent project and we were able to provide a significant investment.

“We are pleased to support a company that not only has real potential to grow and create jobs but is helping to transform Britain’s energy system and improve the environment.”

Source: nebusiness
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