HomeLandfill gas electricity generation facility
From summer 2009, we have been generating electricity at the North Foreshore
using our own sustainable energy source, landfill gas.
Landfill gas is produced when waste materials decompose. Although the former landfill site has been closed since 2007, it still produces large quantities of landfill gas.
How does this work?
We have been ‘capping’ the site with two metres of clay to stop the landfill gas escaping into the atmosphere, and we’ve installed a network of gas wells and pipes to collect this gas from under the clay cap.The gas is then pumped into five purpose built generators to produce a total of five million watts of 'green' electricity for export to the local grid. This is sufficient to power up to 6,000 homes – a very significant amount of electricity and all produced from waste.
We entered into a joint venture agreement with Renewable Power Systems Ltd to provide and manage the facility. It is the largest landfill gas electricity generation facility in Northern Ireland.
Benefits
It will help to create a brighter, cleaner and greener future for Belfast by eliminating the escape of potentially harmful greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.It is also an extremely valuable natural and sustainable energy resource which will generate much-needed income for the council.
