Holsworthy Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Holsworthy, Devon, UK

A pioneering merchant plant ahead of the pack

Holsworthy Biogas is one of the largest anaerobic digestion (AD) plants for commercial and industrial (C&I) wastes in the UK. Our civil engineering, CDM, HAZOPS, geotechnical, hydrogeology and construction quality assurance (CQA) advice is helping upgrade the site.

Originally set up as 160kt/annum of mixed agricultural waste and food wastes it is now setup for 80kt/annum of C&I waste. The site generates 2.1 MWe. The plant was originally built in 2001 but has been subject to substantial upgrading since it was acquired in March 2005.

Peter Brett Associates LLP (PBA) was commissioned to provide civil engineering, CDM, HAZOPS, geotechnical and CQA. We also submitted the PPC permit variation application and continue to provide CQA and contract management support on further expansion of the facility.

The methane fuels produces by the anaerobic digestor feeds two combined heat and power (CHP) units to generate electrical power for export to the National Grid. Heat recovery from the engine cooling systems has the potential for future use for local space heating of public buildings. The installation is regulated under an Environmental Permit to cover the CHP units. The liquid digestate is returned to the participating farms as a liquid fertiliser where it is spread on agricultural land. The site uses flexible storage bags for digestate winter storage when spreading to land is restricted by wet ground conditions.

Additional images

Did you know?

The Oscar-winning film, “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” was shot in Aardman Animations’ Aztec West studio.

Services provided

Construction management support
CDM coordinator services
HAZOPS
Geotechnical
Hydrogeology
Construction quality assurance (CQA)
PPC permit variation application

Project highlights