Electricity is now being exported to the national grid from Agriverts 11 million anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Chertsey, Surrey, the organics recycling company announced today (February 28).
The Trumps Farm facility, in which Grundon Waste Management also has a 15% stake, is now operating at more than 80% of its full power. It is expected to be operating at full power by the end of February 2014.
When fully operational the plant will process around 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes of food waste each year to produce 2.4MW of electricity enough to power more than 4,000 homes.
Work started on constructing in May 2013 and it first began processing food waste in mid-January this year.
According to Agrivert, it has already agreed contracts with two large waste companies serving local authorities in the surrounding area and it also has strong interest from the commercial sector.
Harry Waters, Agriverts commercial director, commented: This plant will provide much needed food waste treatment capacity in the local area, as well as producing valuable renewable energy and fertiliser. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Grundon on this project, which has been very supportive throughout.
Grundon
‘This is the third plant we have delivered with a construction programme of less than nine months. It is important that once you decide to deploy funds your investment start to earn its living as quickly as possible.’
Alexander Maddan, Agrivert chief executive
Oxfordshire-based waste management firm Gundon, which provided 5 million for the project as a shareholder loan in May last year (see letsrecycle.com story), will also provide a significant amount of feedstock for the plant which it said would enable it to expand its food waste collection service to a wider customer base.
Richard Skehens, Grundons chief executive said: We see this as an important strategic investment. Our customers are always looking for more comprehensive and environmentally friendly recycling solutions and Trumps Farm enables us to meet those needs, combining increased service levels with excellent value for money.
The remainder of the funding needed for the 11 million plant was supplied by financier SQN Capital Management via a senior debt facility.
Founder and chief executive of Agrivert, Alexander Maddan, who oversaw the building project, said: This is the third plant we have delivered with a construction programme of less than nine months. It is important that once you decide to deploy funds your investment start to earn its living as quickly as possible.
Agrivert operates another two AD plants in the UK in Oxfordshires Cassington and Wallingford as well as a further four organic waste recycling plants, with which it services 31 local authorities.
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