Holsworthy Biogas Plant

Who they are

Holsworthy in Devon is home to the UK's first large scale anaerobic digestion plant. Biogas plants use gases generated from animal waste to generate electricity. Holsworthy has suffered recently as a result of the continuing recession and major disease outbreaks in the agriculture sector. The Biogas plant has created a number of jobs for the local area as well as helping to support the local farming industry.

What they do

The plant turns cattle, pig and poultry manure and organic food waste into electricity which is sold to the National Grid and will pipe hot water for heating the local school, health centre, hospital and local homes.

The plant has helped eliminate the smells associated with spreading slurry, which can have a detrimental effect on local tourism - immensely important for the region's economy.

The plant also prevents the emission of almost 9,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Emissions of methane - 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide - are also dramatically reduced. In addition to this, it has reduced the amount of waste being taken to landfill, as well as reducing levels of surface and ground water pollution.

The Holsworthy Biogas plant delivers better living, working and healthcare conditions in the area, as well as helping create a cleaner future environment for us all.