Anaerobic Digestion Infrastructure

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) is currently developing its procurement strategy to develop an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility to treat municipal and commercial wastes. The prospective procurement is for a contract between CBMDC and a suitably qualified partner to deliver the design, construction and operation of an AD facility (potential sites have already been identified).

CBMDC is intending to roll out a food waste collection service to residents in 2026 to comply with Simpler Recycling legislation (Environment Act 2021). There is currently limited waste treatment AD infrastructure in or around West Yorkshire. It is anticipated that a new AD facility in the Bradford administrative area would provide a proximate option for Bradford's household food waste and also for other sources of food waste including other household and commercial wastes from the West Yorkshire region.

Initial studies have suggested that the facility would be capable of treating c.80,000 tonnes of food waste per annum. The proposed facility would inject biomethane into the gas grid and would also generate electricity and heat to meet the parasitic load of the facility.

CBMDC notes the recent announcement regarding the extension of the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). CBMDC anticipates timely construction and commissioning of this facility in order to qualify for tariff payments under the GGSS for biomethane injected into the gas grid.

The estimated outline programme for the procurement is likely to be:

• Early 2026 - Preliminary market engagement and options analysis
• 2026 - 2027 - Finalise preferred approach and initiate procurement
• 2027/28 - Obtain Planning Approval (prior to March 2028) and commence construction
• March 2028 (at the latest) - Obtain Green Gas Support Scheme registration.
• 2029/30 - Completion of construction and full commissioning (prior to March 2030)

To inform the procurement strategy, CBMDC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to better understand the capabilities and capabilities of Prospective Supplier organisations. CBMDC is also seeking specific information on the procurement strategy and on matters such as the deliverability of the project programme, funding assumptions, and whether the works and services portions of the contract will be delivered by a single or separate entities, whether the proposed technology and scale are appropriate, asset retention/hand back options and identification of offtake solutions for all products and byproducts of the process.