The 400kW capacity plant, at Clayton Hall Farm, near Emley, will generate enough electricity to power 650 homes and will process around 2,000 tonnes of food waste every year.

CO2Sense invested £600,000 in the plant, which has been in development since 2008. Neil Gemmel, from Clayton Hall Farm, said: “The launch of the plant is the result of five years’ hard work and we are delighted that it is now generating clean electricity.

“The plant is extremely efficient, using a mixture of crops and food waste that would otherwise have been sent to landfill. The digestate produced as a by-product of the plant is an excellent fertiliser and will be used on our farm as an alternative to artificial fertilisers.”

CO2Sense’s chief executive Joanne Pollard added: “CO2Sense is pleased to have been able to invest in this pioneering development. Innovative alternatives to using fossil fuels for energy are essential in helping the low carbon economy in the UK develop.”

Investments from CO2Sense are re-paid once plants are operational and generating an income. CO2Sense then re-invests in other renewable energy developments. To date, CO2Sense has invested in 6% of the renewable energy capacity in Yorkshire.

Maxine Perella

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe