BRAINTREE MP James Cleverly has gone behind the scenes to see food waste being turned into green energy.
He visited the Tamar Energy plant on the Bluebridge Industrial Estate in Halstead on Friday, February 5.
He saw how the 45,000 tonnes of food waste a year is digested by enzymes and turned into electricity, which is enough to power 4,000 homes.
He said: “It’s been fascinating to visit Tamar Energy’s AD plant and see how people in Braintree, Halstead and beyond are playing their part in turning food waste into renewable energy.
“Essex sends over half its waste to compost or recycling which is something we can all be proud of. Not only does this divert food waste from landfill or incineration, but it is an effective cost-saving measure for local authorities.”
Essex County Council signed a £1.7 million deal with Tamar Energy in January 2013, which caused controversy with residents who said they were not consulted properly on the plans.
They were determined to halt the plans back in 2014, despite construction already starting.
Other business owners on the site also complained of smells coming from the plant.
They said they could smell sewage and would consider relocating if it was not fixed.
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