Wessex Water has announced plans to invest more than £20m to increase renewable energy generation from biogas at its Taunton sewage treatment works.

The water company is installing state-of-the-art equipment at Taunton (Ham) sewage treatment works, near Creech St Michael, to increase the amount of renewable energy produced at the site.

Wessex Water project manager Dave Jones said:

“We have been generating biogas from the treatment process at the site for a number of years to produce renewable energy.

"The new equipment will mean we can now do this more efficiently on a larger scale which will reduce our carbon footprint as well as future operating costs."

Biogas is generated when human waste is broken down through anaerobic digestion – a process in which bugs in the absence of oxygen break down biodegradable material to produce methane. The gas can then be used for power generation. The digesters being built at the sewage works increase biogas production by keeping waste in the system for longer, prolonging the time energy can be generated.

The green investment is part of Wessex Water’s long term goal to become carbon neutral. The company said further investment for Taunton sewage treatment works was planned which included improving the quality of waste water which is already treated to a high standard before safely released into the environment.

It added this would ensure the site remained compliant with stringent regulations and allow for population growth in Taunton and the surrounding area.

Ruishton Parish Council, Creech St Michael Parish Council, Somerset District Council and Somerset County Council have all been consulted about the proposed work, which Wessex Water anticipates will be completed in its entirety by Spring 2015.