Water company opens £72m facility
Yorkshire Water has officially opened a £72m anaerobic digestion plant, in what is billed as the latest step in the company’s commitment to invest in renewable energy and keep customers’ bills low.
The plant at Knostrop Energy & Recycling Facility, in Leeds, is the company’s single biggest investment in the last five years and will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the site.
Sludge is imported from across the Yorkshire Water region and treated in the county’s biggest digesters, which have the capacity to treat 131 tonnes per day.
Over a two-week period, the digesters convert the sludge into fertiliser, which is used for agriculture and creates a biogas that is turned into green electricity. The plant will generate enough electricity to run 55% of the site, the equivalent of powering 7,600 homes.
The company has again spelled out its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Yorkshire Water Director of Waste Water Delivery, Ben Roche, said: “The environment and keeping customer bills as low as possible are huge priorities for us and are two of our five big goals.
“The Knostrop Energy & Recycling Facility shows our commitment to a more sustainable future and I am thrilled at the difference it will make.
“There is plenty more to come and we will continue to invest in innovation and look at ways we can reduce our carbon footprint to become carbon neutral by 2030.”
The site will recycle almost all of the sewage sludge in Leeds and also supports Leeds City Council’s ambition for the Lower Aire Valley to become a hub for green energy and industry.
Leeds Central MP, Hilary Benn and Leeds North MP, Alex Sobel were at the official opening alongside members of Leeds City Council.
Benn said: “The opening of the new anaerobic digestion plant at Knostrop treatment works is a really important investment in our future.
“By recycling 94% of the sewage sludge in Leeds to create enough electricity to power over half of the treatment works’ energy needs, this scheme is helping to create a lower carbon future in the Lower Aire Valley.”
