An energy-from-waste deal led by Liverpool’s H2 Energy could create as many as 150 jobs, overhauling the energy requirements at the 2 Sisters Food Group, whose turnover is valued at £3 billion a year.

H2 Energy have been contracted to build bio-refineries at all of 43 of the food manufacturer’s locations across the country. H2 Energy will design, manufacture, construct, and operate these facilities: converting food and animal by-products into power and heat.

The deal is expected to create 150 jobs in the Liverpool region over the next three years.

The first phase of the project involves the commissioning of refineries at ten of the 2 Sister’s locations by 2018, at food manufacturing, poultry, fish and meat processing sites. These locations are in Carlisle, Flixton, Willand, Scunthorpe, Coupar Angus, McIntosh Donald, Bodmin, Anglesey, Sandycroft and Merthyr Tydfil.

Beyond this, the deal will secure sizeable green benefits for 2 Sisters: 35,000 tonnes of carbon savings and 20,000 fewer lorry journeys per year, reducing the group’s non-transport carbon footprint by 10%.

William Shotton, chief executive of H2 Energy, said:

“We are absolutely delighted with the partnership on embedded generation with 2 Sisters and the benefits of waste treatment at source, decreased vehicle movements and reduced carbon emissions to be achieved by this agreement.”

Andrew Edlin, sustainability and environment director for 2 Sisters Food Group added: “This is absolutely cutting edge, not just for the food industry, but for the UK.

“Producing over 100,000 MWh of energy on our sites fundamentally changes their energy profile, and results in carbon saving of over 35,000 tonnes, around 10% of our non-transport footprint. This is a true demonstration of our commitment to sustainability and innovation and highlights how we want to engage with innovators to meet our sustainable development goals.”

The initiative will start at 2 Sisters’ Cavaghan & Gray site in Carlisle, a manufacturing point for a ready meals supplied to a range of retailers. This particular bio-refinery will produce as much as 3,500 MWh/year of electricity (the equivalent of the annual use of 750 homes) and approximately 5,000 MWh/year of processing steam. This electricity will meet more than 20% of the site’s requirements, significantly cutting back on the need for fossil fuels.

With the completion of phase one, the deal is projected to deliver as much as 40,000 MWh/year of electricity and 70,000MWh/year of thermal energy to the 2 Sisters food group: the power equivalent of a town with 12,000 homes. According to the Carbon Trust, this will deliver annual savings of around 35,000 tonnes of carbon.

Based on conversion calculations provided by The Carbon Trust, the first phase will deliver annual savings of approximately 35,000 tonnes of carbon.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson, whose office has supported H2 Energy, added:

“It is exactly 12 months ago that H2 Energy opened in Liverpool creating much needed jobs in north Liverpool and this multimillion pound contract is a significant milestone for a company that chose Liverpool as the base for its operations.

“I invested in H2 Energy because I was confident that Liverpool would reap the benefits in terms of jobs and opportunities and that faith has again been repaid.”

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Words: Peter Cribley