Yahoo News Massive Devon power plant collapses into administration
A huge Devon power plant which turns farm waste into energy has collapsed into administration four years after a worker was killed at the site. Troubled Willand Biogas LLP has called in administrators after failing to attract vital cash to keep it operating.
Administrators at London-based restructuring and recovery specialists Moorfields Advisory Ltd are trying to sell the leasehold of the business’s plant at Cullompton. The company’s most recent accounts for 2022 showed it was more than £23m in the red and had a £38.75m loan.
Willand Biogas LLP owns a large biogas facility about 30km from Exeter. The plant has a biogas production capacity of 1,000 m3/h and produces biogas by anaerobic digestion.
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The biomethane produced from the plant is injected directly into the national gas grid. The company also supplies electricity to the national power grid.
Andy Pear, a partner at Moorfields, said: “Unfortunately, the operator of the plant ran into difficulties and the LLP was not able to obtain the necessary investment to keep the site operational. Moorfields is now holding the site in standby mode whilst a buyer is sought for the facility.
“The site provides a great opportunity for an onward purchaser to operate a fully operable biomethane to grid plant in a short period. All required equipment is on location with attachment to RHI (renewable heat incentive) accreditation. In addition, the site provides opportunity for growth with space for an additional four to six additional digesters.”
In 2020, Carl Parsons, aged 34, died when he was electrocuted by high voltage overhead cables while working on a cherry picker at Willand Biogas. Mr Parsons, from Plymouth, was helping to clean the company’s large biogas tanks. An inquest heard major health and safety failings led to his death. A jury returned a conclusion of accidental death.
Parties interested in the Willand Biogas plant should contact ssartin@moorfieldscr.com or call 0207 1861144.
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