Plans have been unveiled for a biomethane refuelling depot which will use locally sourced food waste to help cut carbon emissions from HGV (heavy goods vehicle) transport.
Dorset-based renewable energy firm Eco Sustainable Solutions is planning to open the depot at its Eco Park in Parley.
It has submitted a planning application for the facility which will supply renewable gas produced from the company’s new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, currently under construction and due for commissioning in November.
The depot will enable compressed biomethane to be used as an alternative to diesel for HGVs, one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise.
The biomethane will be refined from food waste collected across BCP, the New Forest, Dorset and surrounding areas.
The proposed depot will be able to refuel up to three vehicles at once and forms a critical part of Eco’s wider decarbonisation strategy, including the conversion of its own HGV fleet.
Initial estimates suggest the facility will save at least 1,634 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) annually.
Justin Dampney, Managing Director of Eco Sustainable Solutions, said: “This is about enabling long-term, localised carbon savings in the transport sector.
“By using fuel derived from the food waste we process, the depot will help reduce emissions where it’s traditionally been hardest – heavy goods transport.
“This isn’t just a solution for our fleet. In time, the depot could provide clean fuel for other operators too – all powered by local food waste.”
Biomethane offers emissions reductions of up to 85 per cent compared to diesel and is rapidly gaining recognition as a viable low-carbon fuel for logistics and waste sectors.
Founded in 1995, Eco has an annual turnover of £21 million and employs 52 people.
In 2024, the company recycled 236,446 tonnes of material including 61,191 tonnes of food waste, 51,462 tonnes of wood waste and 36,960 tonnes of food waste.
As well Parley and Piddlehinton, the company also has a site at Weymouth, all in Dorset.