The GwyriAD anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Caernafon has become the first in Wales to achieve certification under the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme (BCS).
Operated by Biogen, the digestate from the plant can now be referred to as a certified biofertiliser under BCS from Renewable Energy Association subsidiary Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL).
The plant, which will turn 11,000 tonnes of food waste per year into green electricity for 700 homes, has been developed as part of the Wales Procurement Programme that was set up by the Welsh Government.
BCS certification shows compliance with the PAS 110 specification and the AD Quality Protocol.
REAL certification manager Ciaran Burns said: “This project is an exemplar for the industry. Working together, the Welsh Government, WRAP Cymru and Biogen have delivered a plant which ideally meets the needs of the local authority while delivering maximum economic and environmental benefit from the food waste inputs. This project sets the standard for others in Wales to follow.”
Biogen chief executive Julian O’Neill added: “We are delighted that GwryiAD has become our third AD plant to achieve PAS 110. The fact that the biofertiliser produced by our plants can now be defined as a product rather than a waste can only help boost confidence in our AD process with our partners in the farming community.”
The GwyriAD plant is the 18th in the UK to achieve BCS certification.
