A new Waitrose store in Hertfordshire is buying all its electricity from a supplier that sources the energy from two Waitrose tomato growers.
The electricity supplier - - green energy uk - claims it provides “100 per cent green electricity” and is bringing in the electricity for the new Rickmansworth shop as part of a combined heat and power project.
Projects of this nature are becoming more popular in the glasshouse sector. In this instance the electricity is a by-product from the nurseries of two Waitrose suppliers: Ken Parkinson of Jake’s Nursery in Chichester and John Jones of Guy & Wright in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire.
Carbon dioxide is produced for the tomato plants and heat is generated to warm the glasshouse and drive a turbine generating electricity. The resulting electricity is fully sustainable, and fulfils the Waitrose Rickmansworth shop’s total electricity needs.
green energy uk founder and chief executive, Doug Stewart, said: “Electricity from growing tomatoes is extremely positive because it has multiple benefits and no waste - all the heat is used for warming the greenhouses, the CO2 is ‘fed’ to the plants and the electricity goes to consumers and businesses who want green power. It’s great to work with Waitrose on a project like this because it makes a great deal of sense to use these resources.”
Bill Wright, energy and environment manager at Waitrose, said: “Waitrose insists on high environmental standards across its business and all our other branches source their electricity entirely from renewable sources. However we feel that so called ‘tomato power’ is an idea worth exploring. In addition to being an environmentally sound option, this surplus energy also helps the farms generate additional income - so everyone benefits.”
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