The facility, which sits alongside a solar farm and InstaVolt’s EV superhub, has been designed to process 83,600 tonnes of agricultural residues, local agri-waste and break crops each year.
In doing so, the company suggested that it will generate more than 120 GWh of biomethane annually, hoping to meet the entire heat demand of over 9,000 homes.
The site utilises a natural process where organic materials are broken down by microbes in an oxygen-free environment to produce biogas. The gas is then upgraded to biomethane and either injected into the national gas network or used as a renewable fuel for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
In addition, the plant produces a nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser, known as digestate, which will be returned to local farms to improve soil health and reduce reliance on imported and carbon-intensive fertilisers.
By turning farm waste streams such as slurries, manures and rotational crops into green energy, the project is expected to deliver carbon savings of around 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Nick Rowsell of West Stoke Farm, who supplies feedstock to the facility, said: “Having farmed at Three Maids Hill previously, we always found the land had limited agricultural value.
“However, it has strong potential with this new renewable biogas generation facility which we are now providing feedstock for.
“Both energy security and food security are massively important to the UK, and partnering with Acorn Bioenergy helps us deliver both.”
Launch of the biomethane facility
The Three Maids Hill plant was formally opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Winchester City Council Leader Councillor Martin Tod, local stakeholders, politicians and partner farmers.
Sarah Jones, Minister for Industry, said: “Acorn’s development will deliver secure, clean energy for thousands of homes and provide jobs for the local community in Hampshire.
“Biomethane can play an important role in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, boosting our energy security and helping us accelerate to net zero.”
Alister Veitch, Head of Business Development at Acorn Bioenergy, added: “A real flagship hub for Acorn Bioenergy, we were delighted to launch the Three Maids facility, to demonstrate how renewable biogas generation can power homes, strengthen food security and support the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
It is expected that the facility will support up to 50 jobs across the wider engineering, rural and infrastructure supply chain.
Acorn Bioenergy, which was acquired in 2022 by global renewable investment platform Qualitas Energy, is also constructing two further plants in the UK alongside a dedicated gas injection hub.
The company has around a dozen sites in development, with the aim of supplying 25% of the UK’s biomethane.
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