Copland Biogas 

A new renewable energy site at Beccles, East Suffolk

About Copland Biogas

The team at Copland Biogas has a wealth of experience in developing renewable energy technologies, specifically in anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. We are dedicated to constructing AD plants that convert unavoidable organic waste into sustainable, green energy. This renewable energy plant will help play a pivotal role in decarbonising the UK's energy network to create a greener and more sustainable future.

Advancing renewable energy technologies such as AD plants is imperative for the UK to achieve its Net Zero targets. By transforming organic unavoidable waste into green energy, Copland Biogas is contributing significantly to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the energy challenges we currently have. This proposal not only eliminates the detrimental practice of landfill usage but will also generate employment opportunities within the local economy and renewable energy sector. By embracing these sustainable solutions, we are not only shaping a cleaner, greener future but also fostering economic growth and environmental protection.

This new AD plant could have the capacity to produce green energy for over 7,400 dwellings in the local area as the biomethane will go into the gas grid and directly replaces the equivalent amount of natural gas derived from fossil fuels.

Please explore our website to discover more about AD and the planning permission being submitted. Should you have any enquiries, kindly submit them through the form located at the bottom of the page. We are here to answer your questions.

Produce

About Anaerobic Digestion

What is anaerobic digestion (AD)?

 

AD works by naturally breaking down organic materials inside sealed tanks to generate biogas – a renewable fuel that comprises mainly of methane (the same as the gas in our gas supplies). Biogas can be converted into electricity or put through an ‘upgrader’ to produce biomethane – an alternative to fossil fuel gas – which can be readily injected into the gas grid network.

To find out more about AD, please click here.

Why now?

 

The government has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Addressing the urgent need to establish sustainable systems and infrastructure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is paramount. A recent announcement by DEFRA has underscored the necessity for all Local Authorities to implement segregated food waste collections by 2026. Therefore, it is crucial to develop local, sustainable methods for processing food waste, emphasizing the importance of environmentally responsible practices.

How many AD plants are there in the UK?

 

There are over 720 AD plants in the UK, producing green energy for millions of UK households and businesses.

Is AD good for the environment?

 

Yes. It helps divert waste from being sent to landfill or incineration, and the process produces renewable energy as well as a nutrient-rich by-product called bio-fertiliser which can be used by farmers as an alternative to energy-intensive fertilisers. To find out how AD can help the climate emergency click here.

 

 

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The Proposals at Copland Biogas

In 2022 plans were submitted for an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant to be built on a vacant site near Beccles, Suffolk. If approved, the plant will have the ability to provide around 1,000 cubic metres of green biomethane gas per hour, using locally sourced unavoidable food and organic waste.

The project will support the government’s targets to reach Net Zero by 2050.

Anaerobic digestion is a process by which organic material is broken down by micro-organisms and chemical reactions in the absence of oxygen. The key product of the process is biomethane – an alternative to fossil fuel natural gas.

There is a pressing need in the UK to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions globally to halt climate change. The plant will contribute to the development of a circular economy in Suffolk by processing around 100,000 tonnes of locally sourced food and organic waste each year from local households and businesses. This waste could be from:

  • Household scraps (for example egg shells, vegetable peelings, inedible offcuts of fruit and vegetables, bones, coffee grounds, and tea bags)
  • Out-of-date food from supermarkets
  • Restaurant waste, including oils, fats and greases
  • Bakery waste
  • Food manufacturing and processing waste

Please read more for the full proposal and pictures of the site layout.

 

 

Timeline & milestones

November 2022 - planning application was submitted

Spring 2023 - community consultation

November 2023 - planning application updated to reflect community consultation feedback

Please keep checking the site to find out the latest updates and developments

Considering your comments

The team at Copland Biogas appreciates that there have been some concerns surrounding the possible construction and operations of the plant from the local community.

Please complete the contact form if you have any comments.

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