Planning Permission Granted for Bio Gas Plant

Wyke Farms (UK), independent cheese producer and milk processor, have recently gained permission to build an anaerobic digester (AD) plant near their farms in Bruton, Somerset. These plans will help Wyke Farms save over 4 million kilos of CO2 every year. This will make them one of the first national food brands to be self-sufficient in green energy.

This energy strategy has been planned since 2005 and the application process began in March 2012. The building for the bio gas plants is expected to start straight away. All electricity used at the farm will eventually come from biogas and solar energy created on the farm and from dairy waste. The business has already invested in solar arrays on farm buildings.

“We are a business that believe in the principles of sustainability. For us it’s about local farming, local sourcing and local supply wherever possible” says Rich Clothier, Managing Director and third generation family member at Wyke Farms. He continues: “When it comes to energy sourcing, it doesn't get more local than collecting the light off of your rooftops and using the gas digested from the manure from your cows, add to that a commitment to re-use all of the factory waste water again and it starts to get really exciting”

Wyke Farms are continuing plans with their energy advisers to make sure they gain the maximum they can from this opportunity to help create sustainable green growth and accurately measuring their results.