Biogas from animal waste supplies entire UK town
A town in Devon has become the first in the UK to get all its gas supply from biogas.
Locals in South Molton now receive all their gas and nearly half their electricity from the anaerobic digestion of animal waste.
South Molton’s AD facility, Condate Biogas, uses crops and poultry waste to create enough renewable energy to provide gas to the entire town, which has a population of approximately 5,000. The biogas is turned into renewable energy and injected directly into the gas and electricity grid by the facility. The feedstock is sourced from local farmers.
“Thanks to operating efficiencies, we are now capable of generating enough renewable electricity to supply 70% of South Molton with renewable electricity and we could increase our gas output to cover 3,000 homes. This means we could supply a wider range of villages and neighbourhoods around South Molton.
“We hope to be in a position to be able to deliver the additional energy soon because we believe that locally produced renewable energy provides the key to solving the current UK energy crises.”
Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, commented: “It is incredible to think that South Molton’s homes are being powered by renewable gas and electricity thanks to Condate Biogas’s AD facility.
“There are very towns in the UK that can claim to be powered by renewable energy and it is something we can all be proud of.
“It also makes fertiliser as a side product, which goes back on the local land growing the maize which, in turn, provides the matter to help produce the gas. A truly circular form of local, sustainable energy production.”
Locals in South Molton now receive all their gas and nearly half their electricity from the anaerobic digestion of animal waste.
South Molton’s AD facility, Condate Biogas, uses crops and poultry waste to create enough renewable energy to provide gas to the entire town, which has a population of approximately 5,000. The biogas is turned into renewable energy and injected directly into the gas and electricity grid by the facility. The feedstock is sourced from local farmers.
“Thanks to operating efficiencies, we are now capable of generating enough renewable electricity to supply 70% of South Molton with renewable electricity and we could increase our gas output to cover 3,000 homes. This means we could supply a wider range of villages and neighbourhoods around South Molton.
“We hope to be in a position to be able to deliver the additional energy soon because we believe that locally produced renewable energy provides the key to solving the current UK energy crises.”
Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, commented: “It is incredible to think that South Molton’s homes are being powered by renewable gas and electricity thanks to Condate Biogas’s AD facility.
“There are very towns in the UK that can claim to be powered by renewable energy and it is something we can all be proud of.
“It also makes fertiliser as a side product, which goes back on the local land growing the maize which, in turn, provides the matter to help produce the gas. A truly circular form of local, sustainable energy production.”
