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MEMBER’S PRESS RELEASE: Election candidate visits Holbeach renewable energy plant

The UK’s leading operator of facilities that generate renewable energy from food waste and other organic material has welcomed a prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) to its Lincolnshire anaerobic digestion (AD) plant. The AD plant is a joint venture with A.H. Worth, the parent company of QV Foods, one of Lincolnshire’s largest food growers and processors.

Conservative PPC John Hayes, who is standing for re-election in the South Holland and the Deepings seat, was joined by ward councillor Nick Worth to take a tour of the Tamar Energy plant in Holbeach by Tamar Energy’s Plant Manager and QV Foods Chairman Duncan Worth on 17 April.

They learned more about how the facility turns 30,000 tonnes of unavoidable organic waste a year into enough green energy to power the equivalent of 3,000 homes. Much of the organic waste is the vegetable peelings and trimmings from QV Foods’ food processing operations, whose clients include Asda and Marks & Spencer. The energy produced is then used by QV Foods to power its 24/7 processing and packing facility. Any excess power is put back into the local electricity grid for homes and businesses to use.

AD uses a series of natural biological processes to break down organic waste material anaerobically (in the absence of air) and convert it into biogas, which is then used to create electricity and a nutrient-rich natural biofertiliser and soil conditioner for agricultural use.

Following the tour, Mr. Hayes said:

It’s been fascinating to visit this innovative partnership between QV Foods as a major local employer, and Tamar Energy. AD offers a superb way of generating renewable energy both locally and nationally and at the same time as offering an efficient waste management solution. Commercial AD can clearly make a real contribution to the UK’s energy mix.

Ricky Maylin, Tamar Energy’s Plant Manager said:

AD is an exciting technology, and this plant’s ‘closed loop’ system of converting organic waste into green power really shows its potential. We’re really pleased with the successes we’ve had here in partnership with QV Foods. Tamar Energy is developing a UK wide network of plants like the one Mr. Hayes has seen today, to offer an innovative waste management solution and generate renewable energy.

Duncan Worth, Chairman of QV Foods said:

Getting an AD plant off the ground is not a commitment to be entered into lightly, and I’m glad to be working with a partner like Tamar Energy. That said, AD can deliver real benefits; the most obvious one is cheaper electricity, our farming operation now has a supply of liquid biofertiliser saving us a significant amount too, and we’re reducing our food supply chain carbon footprint.

Tamar Energy is the UK’s leading operator and developer of commercial AD plants. It currently has five AD plants in operation or construction, at Holbeach, Lincs; Basingstoke, Hants; Retford, Notts; Halstead, Essex and Hoddesdon, Herts, and a full development pipeline of other AD plants.  

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