Planning Application - Waste Recycling Group

Proposed facility will convert crops to green energy

Waste Recycling Group (WRG) is to submit a planning application for permission to build an anaerobic digestion facility to generate renewable electricity from crops grown at Sutton Courtenay Landfill Site.

The proposed facility will provide a sustainable alternative to the generation of energy from traditional fossil fuels. Using a tried and tested process called anaerobic digestion, biodegradable material can be converted into renewable energy.

The proposed facility will receive forage maize cultivated on restored land within the landfill site, and others in the local area, from which approximately 1.5MWe will be generated. The electricity will be used within the wider landfill site with the excess exported to thelocal grid for use in homes and businesses.

The proposed Facility will not accept any waste material.AD is the decomposition of biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. As the material decomposes, principally, two byproducts are created; an energy rich biogas and a nutrient rich digestate. The biogas can be drawn off and combusted in a standard gas engine to generate electricity. The digestate can be spread on agricultural land as a natural fertiliser.

The proposal will see the construction of a purpose built facility centrally located within the landfill site. It is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council and the facility will be operational by autumn 2012.

WRG has arranged two local public exhibitions to provide information about the proposals and offer the opportunity for interested parties to talk to representatives of WRG. The exhibitions will be held on Monday the 26th of September in Sutton Courtenay Village Hall Committee Room) from 2 - 8pm and Tuesday the 27th of September, in Appleford Village Hall from 2.30 - 8pm. A leaflet has been circulated to communities local to the Sutton Courtenay Site.