FCC Environment has harvested its first crop of biomass fuel grown on two of its restored landfill and quarry sites.
The 30 hectare sites in Darrington, West Yorkshire and Calverton, Nottinghamshire were sown with a fast-growing annual miscanthus grass crop which is expected to yield up to 300 tonnes of carbon neutral biomass fuel annually once the crop is established. The crop will be sent to Drax power station to be used as a fuel to generate low carbon electricity.
Miscanthus grass is one of the main preferred crops for biomass use on restored sites as the plants’ deep rhizomes (root system) give structure to the soil by adding biodegradable matter and aerating it. FCC has over 200 hectares on 24 former landfill sites currently in production.
