Hertfordshire’s first ‘food waste to renewable energy’ plant has achieved an important industry certification.

The Bygrave anaerobic digestion plant on the A505 between Baldock and Royston is owned and operated by anaerobic digestion market leaders Biogen, and processes food waste to generate renewable energy along with a high quality, nutrient-rich biofertiliser – also known as digestate – used on local farmland.

Around 45,000 tonnes of food waste from households, supermarkets, food manufacturers and the hospitality industry can be processed at the high-tech plant annually.

That’s enough to generate 2.6 megawatts of green electricity – which would power all the homes in Baldock for an entire year.

The PAS 110 accreditation provides assurance that the biofertiliser produced from anaerobic digestion is safe for human, animal and plant health and is fit for spreading to farmland as a replacement for chemical fertilisers.

The liquid fertiliser is rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and other trace elements.

Only 37 AD plants in the UK have achieved the certification and Biogen is the only operator to have five accredited plants.

Chief executive Julian O’Neill, said: “I’m extremely proud that our AD plants have the PAS 110 certification.

“Our unstinting focus on operations excellence and compliance coupled with industry-leading plant is reflected in this award.”

The plant has been running since October and recycles waste from major names including Ocado and Asda and local businesses including Simmons Bakeries.