At full capacity, the biogas plant at Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate will process 50,000 tonnes of food waste per year and generate 1.56 MW of electricity, enough to power 2,000 homes. With building now complete, Emerald Biogas has turned its attention to the second phase of the project which will allow up to 100,000 tonnes of food waste to be processed each year, doubling the power generated.
Adam Warren, director of Emerald Biogas, said: “Despite the difficult winter and the associated problems it brought, we are now ready to begin testing the facility. We are confident that waste processing and energy production will begin in June and therefore we are keen to progress with the second phase.
“The next few months will see a flurry of activity on site as we gear up for phase one to become fully operational. Once at full capacity, we can look forward to creating renewable energy for neighbouring industrial companies and producing quality fertiliser from the digestate for use by the local agricultural community.”