Renewable energy specialist Biogen, a 50/50 joint venture between Kier and Bedfordia, has inked an agreement with the city of Edinburgh and Midlothian Councils to design andc.
The proposed anaerobic digestion (AD) plant will process around 30,000 tons of food waste annually and is expected to generate about 1.4MW of renewable energy, which will be enough to power 1,500-2,000 homes. It will also produce a biofertilizer for farmland.
Biogen has collaborated with Alauna Renewable Energy (ARE) to support its bid for the Zero Waste: Edinburgh and Midlothian Food Waste Treatment Project.
When completed, the food waste recycling plant will be operated by Kelda Organic Energy, under a subcontract from ARE
Commenting on the proposed plant Biogen chief executive Richard Barker said that the construction of the AD plant will support the Scottish government's aim to reduce the amount of waste, including food waste, sent to landfill by end of 2017.
Kier's Environmental Business managing director Nicola Peake said, "We are delighted to have made the investment in BIOGEN , which marks Kier's ongoing commitment to green energy.
As a business we pride ourselves on developing intelligent solutions for our clients and see significant potential in an attractive market for the development of the business in the coming years."
ARE is a Special Purpose Vehicle formed by Kelda Water Services and Scottish Water Horizons to manage the contract.
