'Gasman' Charles unveils plans to take on the Big Six
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prince Charles is to provide an unlikely challenge to the “Big Six” energy companies as he prepares to open a renewable energy plant on his Duchy of Cornwall estate that could, if successful, be the blueprint for further power generation on the land.
The Prince, who is heavily committed to renewable energy on the estate, is to open the biogas plant in Dorset on Wednesday.
Its “anaerobic digestion” system will generate energy and renewable gas that will be fed into the National Grid, providing enough gas for up to 56,000 houses, as well as powering the site.
The use of anaerobic digestion plants is widespread in continental Europe, but not in the UK, although it is becoming more popular. The process involves sealing food and animal waste in tanks without oxygen, where the material is broken down by naturally occurring micro-organisms into biogas. The material left over can also be used as fertiliser.
The Prince is understood to have been interested in the technology for some time and hopes it can power the nearby village of Poundbury on the estate.
“It’s one step at a time, but the idea is that it is a pioneer project,” said a source close to the project. “Should Poundbury prove successful and economically viable, plants may be considered elsewhere.”
The plant has been built by JV Energen, a joint venture between the Duchy of Cornwall and three Dorset farmers, who will provide waste for the plant.
It is expected to produce 106 million cubic feet of methane a year.
The Duchy of Cornwall, a £728m land and property portfolio, consists of about 53,400 hectares of land across 23 counties. The prince set up the Duchy Originals brand out of his interest in organic farming.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments