PLANS for a multi-million pound state-of-the-art food waste green gas facility near Worcester have moved a step closer.

Stenergy Ltd in Worcester has revealed the next steps for its 'pioneering' food waste green gas to grid biomethane facility at Hindlip, near Worcester.

An initial round of pre-planning applications took place in early 2023 and a planning application was submitted in August last year.

PIONEERING: Keith Warburton, Stenergy’s Chief Executive OfficerPIONEERING: Keith Warburton, Stenergy’s chief executive officer (Image: Stenergy) With a 2026 mandate for all UK councils to divert waste away from landfill and incineration in accordance with DEFRA’s guidance, Stenergy’s £30 million biomethane plant will convert 48,500 tonnes of domestic and industrial food waste annually into renewable energy.

Stenergy leaders say it presents councils with a realistic option to deliver DEFRA’s requirements, describing the project as 'transformative'.

Councils in England will be supported with up to £295 million in funding to introduce weekly food waste collections by March 31, 2026, as announced by former recycling minister Robbie Moore.

New funding will cover new food waste containers for homes and specialist collection vehicles, targeted at local authorities that have yet to fully put food waste service in place.

Over ten million tonnes of food is wasted every year in the UK, with much sent to landfill.

Separate collections of food waste from every household will prevent contamination of other waste which could be usefully recycled, as well as ensuring that food waste can be sent to anaerobic digestion facilities rather than needlessly lost to landfill.

Directing food waste to these plants will generate more sustainable energy to power homes and businesses, and cut down more than 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions associated with this waste.

Currently, there is no facility for separate food waste disposal within Worcestershire.

It is hoped the close proximity of Stenergy’s plant to the Local Authorities Depot at Sixways would make it easier for councils to set up compliant food waste schemes.

Keith Warburton, Stenergy’s chief executive officer, said: “Our Hindlip facility, just outside Worcester, will inject green gas directly into Cadent’s Local Transmission System, creating a reliable and sustainable green energy source for Worcester.

"This project will help kick start the green ‘whole systems’ transformation for Worcestershire by identifying and integrating the City, Rural and Farming inter-dependencies by reducing landfill, carbon emissions and creating much-needed local jobs in addition to delivering a greener and compliant future for Worcestershire."

It has garnered support from leaders, businesses, and stakeholders.

Worcester Bosch's CEO, Carl Arntzen, said: “This project aligns perfectly with Worcester Bosch’s green goals, providing biomethane for our Warndon manufacturing plant and supporting the region’s shift to renewable energy sources.”

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Worcestershire County Councillor Bev Neilson added: “Stenergy’s biomethane plant offers an accessible, low-cost green energy source for Worcestershire. By reducing reliance on landfill and creating jobs, it’s a vital step for our community and aligns with our 2035 net-zero targets.”

Paul Walker MBE, from the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The proposed facility delivers major environmental and economic benefits for Worcester. By capturing biomethane from food waste, we’re avoiding harmful emissions and supporting a circular economy.”