Farmgen begins construction of AD power plant in Cumbria
Share
Construction work on a £3m anaerobic digestion (AD) power plant in rural Cumbria has started, with the site reportedly on course to start supplying electricity later this year.
The first stage of the project at Dryholme Farm, near Silloth, includes ground work, creating service roads and clamps to hold material to feed the anaerobic digestion (AD) plant. The plant will use biomass to create biogas, which is then used to generate electricity.
Farmgen, a specialist in farm-based AD power generation, said that work will also start shortly on building the tanks that will form the centrepiece of the scheme.
Once operational, Dryholme Farm will generate 1.2MW of electricity, which is claimed to be enough continuous power for more than 1,000 homes.
Farmgen has already earmarked a number of potential ‘energy farming’ sites in the county. Work on Dryholme’s £3m sister plant in Warton, Lancashire, is now well advanced.
Farmgen has also unveiled plans for its third plant, which could see it supplying power to a nearby open prison.
It has applied for permission to build a £3m AD plant on a farm next to Kirkham Prison in Lancashire.
Farmgen said it is in discussions to supply the Category D open prison’s energy needs, using crops grown by inmates at its farms.
