Defence Online

RAF Marham becomes first military airbase powered by green energy

Homeland February 4, 2019

RAF Marham, the home of the UK’s F-35 multi role combat jets, is set to become the first military airbase to be powered by green electricity.

Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood made the announcement during a visit to a Norfolk biogas plant, where he officially opened the new site that will provide energy to the airbase.

Electricity will be fuelled by fermented locally grown crops, providing 95% of RAF Marham’s energy needs and saving the MOD nearly £300,000 every year.

The facility, built by Future Biogas, will generate 4.5 MVA of electricity every day, which can power 350,000 LED bulbs. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has delivered this project, with government and private sector colleagues.

DPRTE Official Partner: DIO

The process, known as Anaerobic Digestion, produces gas, which is collected and used to power multiple generators that produce electricity and will reduce the Ministry of Defence’s carbon emissions by 14,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. The waste residue from this process can then be dried and used as fertiliser to help grow local crops.

Sam Ulyatt, Crown Commercial Services, Buildings Strategic Commercial Director, said: “This is an excellent example of how CCS can work with forward-thinking public sector partners like DIO, and suppliers like EDF and Future Biogas, to source power supply solutions for the Royal Air Force which provide resilience and strong green credentials, while boosting the local economy and providing energy security for the UK.”

image © Crown Copyright

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Crown Commercial Services Defence Infrastructure Organisation DIO RAF Marham Royal Air Force Tobias Ellwood

Post written by: Matt Brown