French energy firm Engie has submitted plans to build an anaerobic digestion facility near Sherburn-in-Elmet which will take farm waste.
The facility is proposed for land to the east of the A162, Bond Ings and would sit alongside the existing Low Farm anaerobic digestor, along with new woodland planting. If developed, it could take agricultural feedstocks and wastes from local farms and produce gas. Engie says that as well as green gas production, the site will work with local farmers to provide a regular source of income and reduce their carbon footprint. It will also produce a byproduct known as digestate – a natural fertiliser.
The plans come following a consultation with the local community and stakeholders this autumn.
Stuart Rennie, managing director of Renewable Gases UK at Engie, said: “Farm waste in the local area is currently largely spread to land which releases carbon into the atmosphere. Our plans would instead see it used to generate a local supply of green gas which is all part of our national mission to make farming more sustainable and support the UK’s decarbonisation journey.
“Over the last few months we’ve been out talking to the community, and we’ve had lots of positive feedback. We’ve worked hard to develop a really robust planning application which is supported by various technical assessments that show how the facility will be operated without impacting on the local area. The facility will create local jobs and support projects in the community through a dedicated Community Benefit Fund and we’ve already had some really useful suggestions of local causes we could support.”
Engie says the proposal is in line with the UK’s net zero carbon emissions target of 2050, and North Yorkshire Council’s Climate Change Strategy. The firm already operates anaerobic digestion plants in the South West where it supplies green energy to local homes and businesses.
Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber
