Ludlow biodigester- a local example
Exciting plans are afoot to provide Leominster with its own community owned and operated power plant producing renewable energy.
‘Project LeAD’ (Leominster Anaerobic Digester) aims to create an Anaerobic Digester suitable for processing biomass from agriculture such as grass and grass silage, food processing waste, cider-making waste, and food waste from schools, hospitals, pubs and restaurants, thus producing biogas.
The biogas will be used to produce electricity and also heat (as hot water) through a Combined Heat and Power scheme (CHP), which could be piped to Leominster’s hospital, schools and leisure centre, reducing their heating bills and lowering the town’s carbon footprint. The biogas could also power a local bus service.
Electricity will be sold to the National Grid, especially valuable as it is from a renewable energy source. The only by-products of the process are a liquid fertiliser and a soil improver which can be used by local farmers, gardeners and allotment holders.
Other benefits include: a community project that will encourage co-operative action within the local community, an ethical and local opportunity for investment, a reduction of carbon emissions, and a community fund for local projects.
LeAD is being developed as a Towards Transition Leominster project and will be a community co-operative: local people will own and operate the plant. We are working closely with Energy4All who have set up 7 successful renewable energy co-ops around the country. Members of the co-op can invest in the plant and will receive interest on their investment: we aim to do better than a savings account over time. There are also significant tax incentives for some investors.
If you would like to become a shareholder, a feedstock supplier, or would like more information, please come to the meeting or contact one of the following:
Jay Abrahams jay@biologicdesign.co.uk (technical)
Philippa Roberts philippa@lowandbehold.co.uk (Planning)
Felicity Norman folley.farm@btinternet.com (Community)
