A joint report from WRAP and the NNFCC has revealed some interesting facts about the significant increase in the use of AD for the treatment of waste. The report has been drafted in response to the Government’s recent action plan for AD published in June 2011.The report states that there are now 214 facilities with an overall capacity of more than 5million tonnes of material per year and a total installed generating capacity of over 170MW of electricity. 44 of these are waste-fed plants.

Action 1 of the AD Strategy & Action Plan was to establish a baseline, with both WRAP and the NNFCC working together to deliver this. The baseline infrastructure covers sites accepting food waste and farm-based processors – it provides a clear statement on the energy potential of AD and where we are today with AD as a major waste treatment technology.

The report states that there are now (as at September 2011) 214 AD plants in the UK compared to only 2 in 2005, generating 170MW of electricity via the treatment of over 5million tonnes of material. Continue reading →