Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for a combined heat and power engine unit in Newtownabbey.

The 500kw biogas powered unit will have the capacity to produce 500kw of electricity which is the equivalent electricity supply for 300 homes. The unit will be located at Bombardier’s site at Doagh Road in Newtownabbey.

Mr Durkan said: "This is a boost for one of our leading businesses which is exploring the benefits of new renewable energy technologies to reduce energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels. Renewable energy represents a real market opportunity for industry. This application demonstrates how we can minimise our resource consumption and sustain our environment, whilst boosting our economy.

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"This decision has been turned around in just six weeks and represents how a more efficient planning system is delivering the right decisions quickly for business. I will continue to ensure the right decisions are made as quickly as possible and that DOE builds a better environment and a stronger economy."

Biogas is a renewable energy technology where the gas from decomposing organic matter is collected usually through a process known as anaerobic digestion. The gas is cleaned and polished at source to make it suitable for use as a fuel. This is then used to power an engine unit which converts it to mechanical energy and then to electricity. The biogas is not produced on the Newtownabbey site but is sourced from suppliers and transported to the site for electricity generation to power the unit.

(CD/MH)