Ecotricity plans grass-to-gas mill

Green energy company Ecotricity has announced plans to develop its third green gas mill.

The new mill, set to be built in Somerset, will join two already planned for Gloucestershire and Hampshire as it looks to take advantage of what founder Dale Vince is calling a “revolution in gas.” A fourth mill is expected to be announced before the end of the year.

Vince said: “There’s a whole new industry waiting to be created here, meaning more jobs and plenty of economic benefits.”

Green gas mills use anaerobic digestion to turn grass into biomethane which is fed directly into the gas grid.

The new mill will generate 27,000 MWh, enough gas to power 2,500 homes. Grass used to power the mill will be sourced from within ten miles of the plant from non-food producing land.

Ecotricity announced the rollout of its new green gas plants as an alternative to fracking in April. The firm estimates that 95 per cent of UK domestic and commercial gas needs could theoretically be met by gas produced in this way.

Vince said: “We can’t continue using gas from fossil fuels, we are running out and causing climate change; the great thing about green gas, like green electricity, is we can still live the way we’re used to, but we can do so in a sustainable way.

“The strength of public opposition to fracking is crystal clear, and it’s only increasing as well as the significant environmental and health impacts, it’s just an unnecessary risk which we can avoid entirely by pursuing green gas.”