Acorn Bioenergy opens Winchester’s first biomethane facility to power homes and support sustainable farming

Acorn Bioenergy has unveiled Winchester’s first biomethane production facility, marking a major milestone in the region’s transition to clean energy and sustainable agriculture.
The new renewable anaerobic digestion (AD) plant at Three Maids Hill will convert farm waste and locally grown crops into green gas, delivering low-carbon heat to thousands of homes while reducing agricultural emissions.
Now fully operational and connected to the national grid, the facility was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Winchester City Council Leader Councillor Martin Tod, local farmers, stakeholders and regional politicians.
Located alongside a solar farm and InstaVolt’s EV superhub near the A34, the facility strengthens Winchester’s growing reputation as a renewable energy hub. It has already created 15 skilled jobs and is expected to support up to 50 positions across the wider engineering, rural and infrastructure supply chain.
Designed to process 83,600 tonnes of agricultural residues, local agri-waste and break crops every year, the plant will generate more than 120 GWh of biomethane annually – enough to meet the full heating demand of over 9,000 homes.
By turning farming by-products such as slurries, manures and rotational crops into renewable energy, the facility will prevent approximately 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, equivalent to planting 1.2 million trees or removing 15,000 cars from the road.
The site also produces nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser, known as digestate, which is returned to local farms to improve soil health and reduce reliance on imported, carbon-intensive alternatives. In addition, it will supply high-purity green CO₂ for sustainable use in industry.
Sarah Jones, Minister for Industry, said: “Acorn’s development will deliver secure, clean energy for thousands of homes while providing valuable jobs for the Hampshire community.
Biomethane has a vital role to play in cutting our dependence on imported fossil fuels, improving energy security and accelerating progress towards net-zero.”
Alister Veitch, Head of Business Development at Acorn Bioenergy, commented: “The Three Maids facility is a landmark project for Acorn Bioenergy and demonstrates how renewable biogas generation can heat homes, strengthen food security and support the UK’s net zero ambitions. Alongside our dozen other projects currently in development, this is an important step towards our goal of supplying 25% of the UK’s biomethane.”
Nick Rowsell of West Stoke Farm, who supplies break crops to the facility, added: “Having farmed at Three Maids Hill previously, we always found the land had limited agricultural value. This new facility has unlocked its potential, and we’re proud to play a role in supporting it. Energy security and food security are both crucial for the UK, and working with Acorn Bioenergy helps us deliver on both fronts.”