A GREEN energy company has unveiled plans to build a £4million power station in North Dorset using pioneering technology.

Farmgen has applied to North Dorset District Council to build the plant at Blandford Farm, in Farrington, which if approved will generate 1.2MW of electricity, the equivalent of powering 2,000 homes.

The state-of-the-art anaerobic digestion plant is based on the principle of a cow stomach’s or a giant compost.

It would be fuelled by a mixture of chicken litter and locally grown feed, which would be broken down to create bio-gas, which would then turn a turbine creating electricity.

Farmgen claims the power station, which would be based on a large-scale egg producing site, would have virtually no visual or noise impact on the local area and a welcome by-product of the odour-free process is a high quality, natural fertiliser called digestate.

Farmgen’s Ed Cattigan, said: “Up to now we have concentrated our efforts on our farms in Lancashire and Cumbria, but having learnt our trade we are currently seeking to generate across the UK.

“The Dorset plant would be our first in the south of England and we will use the expertise and knowledge we have gained in our operations in other parts of the country to create a leading edge facility that would bring major benefits to the area.

“The Blandford Farm plant would play a large role in significantly reducing odour from the egg production operation, while also providing a valuable source of locally-produced electricity.”

If planners give the application the green light Farmgen hopes to start building in November and complete the plant within six months.

As part of the planning process the company will be organising a full public consultation day with residents in the next few months.