Local charity sparks new life into Ludlow green energy facility
Shropshire Council is pleased to announce that local environmental charity the Cwm Harry Land Trust is to operate the biodigester facility sited on the Coder Road industrial estate in Ludlow.
Following recent discussions between the council and Cwm Harry, agreement has been reached that Cwm Harry will take over the Biocycle South Shropshire company and operate the council-owned anaerobic digester plant for the foreseeable future, to treat food waste and generate renewable electricity.
Operation of the biodigester plant was suspended in September 2012 when previous supply contracts expired. The biodigester can treat most types of food waste that would otherwise be disposed of in landfill sites and generates a renewable source of ‘green’ electricity, heat and a compost type product.
Cwm Harry have had a long association with Biocycle and the biodigester and previously supplied the plant with food waste. Cwm Harry currently operate a composting site based in Newtown, Powys and have operated in this field for several years. Plans for the site include increasing the environmental and resource services offered locally, and making the facility a centre of training and excellence for the anaerobic digestion industry that has a strong presence in the south Shropshire area.
Cwm Harry were formally admitted onto the board of the Biocycle company earlier this year and will take over the day-to-day running of the biodigester from mid-August 2013, and Shropshire Council will continue to own the biodigester.
Gwilym Butler, outgoing Biocycle company Chairman, and Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and culture, said:
“The anaerobic digester was built with grant funding received from Advantage West Midlands and DEFRA as a small scale demonstration facility capable of treating 5,00o tonnes of waste a year. The plant helped prove the technology in the UK, leading to a huge growth in this green energy sector, and has led to a number of the leading companies in the industry to set up businesses in the area.’’
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for waste management, said:
“We are delighted that Cwm Harry are taking on this project and will recommence operations in due course. This will mark the start of a new era for the company and biodigester, bringing back jobs previously lost, and with good opportunities to contribute further towards the local economy in Ludlow and south Shropshire.”
Adam Kennerley, CEO of Cwm Harry Land Trust, added:
“Having had an association with the facility for some time, Cwm Harry welcomes the opportunity to take over its operation. We have exciting plans to involve the local community and create new educational, apprenticeship, training and volunteering opportunities at the facility over the coming years.”
Further information
Cwm Harry Land Trust are a registered charity (Charity Number 1100899) currently based in Newtown, Powys, who specialise in sustainable waste and land management for social and environmental good. They already own or manage a number of companies and projects relating to organic waste collection and treatment, horticultural operations and community food growing.
Biocycle South Shropshire Ltd is the company that has operated the anaerobic digestion plant (Biodigester) since early 2006, and was established by South Shropshire District Council.
The anaerobic digester (biodigester) is a technology that uses bacteria to break down organic waste types to produce a biogas that can be burnt to produce electricity and / or heat, or used as a vehicle fuel or as a replacement for natural gas.
The anaerobic digester was built using grant funding received from Advantage West Midlands and DEFRA on land owned by South Shropshire District Council, with local company Greenfinch Ltd providing technical and engineering expertise.
