MEMBER’S PRESS RELEASE: Multi-million investment in green energy in Yorkshire

Leeming Biogas, a joint venture between developer JFS & Associates and Iona Capital, is developing “the largest” food waste gas-to-grid anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in North Yorkshire.

The multi-million pound plant is under construction at Leeming Bar and will convert waste from the food production industry into biomethane, which is then injected into Northern Gas Networks’ pipeline in the gas-to-grid process.

The industrial sized plant will generate up to eight million cubic metres annually of biomethane and will contribute to the energy targets set by the Government for 2020, as it will be one of the largest plants in the UK.

The plant will handle up to 80,000 tonnes of waste each year that would otherwise be taken to landfill or spread directly onto the land.

A number of local businesses have already signed up to the plant to provide their food waste and the joint venture team is encouraging other businesses to consider the cost and environmental benefits of sending their waste to the plant in the future.

Matthew Flint, director of JFS & Associates, said:

“This project has been two years in the making and the multi-million investment from Iona Capital is vital to enable this plant to benefit the local economy in Leeming Bar as well providing cost and environmental benefits for all the businesses involved.”

In addition to the biomethane being sent to the national grid, the resultant biofertilizer, which is high in nutrients, will be supplied to land owners in the local area.

Partner in the plant, Iona Capital is keen to get the plant operational and with construction on going the plant is set to open in September 2015.

Mike Dunn, Managing Director at Iona Capital commented:

“This project represents a significant investment in the North East and offers environmental and economic benefits to the local community. We are delighted to partner with JFS & Associates on our seventh anaerobic digestion scheme with them.”

Stokesley based JFS & Associates Ltd, currently own and operate six anaerobic digestion plants in the North East and Cumbria with a further six projects currently at the planning stage.

These projects are all joint ventures, which enable business partners to be part of a bespoke anaerobic digestion solution and manage their waste in an environmentally beneficial way.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Sue Thompson, at Catch Design Management on 07971 065941 or email Sue@catchdesigns.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

      As part of JFS & Associates Ltd business model, it aims to build and operate 25+ plants in five years, with a combination of food waste and farm scale plants.

      The company set up in 2011 by Matthew Flint and Peter Johnson develops partnerships with landowners and farmers to provide bespoke anaerobic digestion solution for farms and businesses within the North East and beyond.

      Iona Capital provides equity and subordinated debt into waste projects, which have a renewable element. This may include the production of methane gas for conversion into electricity or heat and the recovery of recyclable materials.

      Iona develops strategic partnerships and uses sector-specific expertise and financial skills to achieve profitable growth for their investors who range from individuals to large local authority pension funds. For more information please see http://www.ionacapital.co.uk

      Anaerobic digestion is a process whereby naturally occurring bacteria break down organic waste material into biogas and a liquid digestate fertiliser. The biogas output is rich in methane and can be used either in a local generating plant to produce electricity, or cleaned and injected into the gas grid. AD generation has significant advantages over other alternative energy sources in that it delivers base load electricity locally, and it can be constructed and commissioned in relatively short timelines.