Bio-energy plant to power brewery

Having completed the main construction stage, commissioning is now in progress.

In partnership with National Grid, the facility will start injecting renewable gas into the gas grid later this summer. In the future, the facility will produce enough renewable gas to power the Adnams brewery and run its fleet of lorries, while still leaving up to 60 per cent of the output for injection into the National Grid.

By using brewery and local food waste to generate biomethane, the plant will prevent the release of highly polluting methane to the atmosphere, through diverting the waste from landfill.

The Adnams Bio Energy plant consists of three digesters — sealed vessels in which naturally occurring bacteria act without oxygen to break down up to 12,500 tons of organic waste each year. The result is the production of biomethane as well as a liquid organic fertiliser.

Andy Wood, chief executive officer at Adnams, said: ’We are delighted that Adnams Bio Energy is located on the site of our eco-distribution centre. For a number of years now, Adnams has been investing in ways to reduce our impact on the environment. The reality of being able to convert our own brewing waste and local food waste to power our brewery and vehicles, as well as the wider community, is very exciting.

’This facility will have a major impact on the reduction of carbon emissions in the region and the production of renewable energy. The food waste would otherwise be destined for landfill, but processing it through the digester will save an estimated 50,000 tons of CO₂ equivalents from landfill.’

RBS in Cambridge and grants from the European Regional Development Fund, East of England Development Agency and the Department of Energy and Climate Change provided funds towards the £2.75m development cost of the renewable energy facility.