________________
KAMADHENU
BRITAIN TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY USING ANIMAL SLURRY
Britain's first power station using animal slurry is set to begin operating in a few weeks using dung from local cattle farms, the plant's director said.
"We are producing electricity from cow slurry from about 25 to 30 farms." Charles Clarke, one of the power station's directors, said on Tuesday.
The pioneering multi-million pound energy scheme is waiting for the green light from the environment agency before swinging into action.
The plant in Holsworthy, Devon, southwest England, will run on around 1.6 million tonnes of slurry a year.
Biogas from the fermented slurry will be used to produce up to two megawatts of electricity for the national grid, fraction of the 1,000 megawatts produced each day by a normal British power station. Mr. Clarke said the plant's processes would also produce hot water for use in a community heating scheme, and organic manure which farmers can use on their land.
The plant was virtually complete, Mr. Clarke said, but was waiting for a pollution control licence from the environment agency.
"As soon as we get the licence we will start collecting slurry and get the process going." Said Mr. Clarke, a retired farmer.
"We are looking to be in full production in early May."
The complex was funded by a grant of more than 3.5 million pounds (#5 million) from the European Union, and a 3.5 million pound investment from German based firm Farmatic.
83
