Overview
Barkip Anaerobic Digestor (Waste AD) is a 2.2 MW biomass power plant in the United Kingdom, operated by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) / William Tracey. It converts organic waste into renewable energy.
Barkip Anaerobic Digestor (Waste AD) is a biomass power plant located in the United Kingdom, with a capacity of 2.2 MW. The facility is owned and operated by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) / William Tracey and is currently operational. As a small-scale biomass plant, it contributes to the UK's renewable energy portfolio by generating electricity from organic waste through anaerobic digestion. The plant operates under the UK's regulatory framework, which includes the Renewables Obligation (RO) and the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, supporting low-carbon electricity generation. Anaerobic digestion technology is well-established in the UK, with many similar facilities processing agricultural, food, and municipal waste. The 2.2 MW capacity places it in the small-scale category for biomass power generation. Environmentally, the plant helps reduce methane emissions from waste decomposition and provides a renewable energy source, displacing fossil fuel-based generation. Its location in Scotland aligns with the country's ambitious renewable energy targets. The facility plays a role in local waste management and contributes to the circular economy by turning waste into energy.
Environmental context
The Barkip Anaerobic Digestor processes organic waste, reducing methane emissions that would otherwise occur from landfill decomposition. The biomass fuel type has a lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels, though lifecycle emissions depend on feedstock sourcing. The plant's small capacity minimizes local air quality impacts, and its operation supports the UK's goals for renewable energy and waste reduction.
Frequently asked questions
Barkip Anaerobic Digestor is located in the United Kingdom, with coordinates approximately 55.7181° N, -4.7186° W.
It is a biomass power plant that uses anaerobic digestion to convert organic waste into electricity.
The plant has a capacity of 2.2 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale renewable energy facility.
Biomass plants in the UK must comply with the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Contracts for Difference (CfD) schemes, as well as environmental permitting regulations under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) or equivalent in Scotland.
Anaerobic digestion reduces methane emissions from waste, produces renewable energy, and generates digestate that can be used as fertilizer, supporting circular economy principles.