Stephen Timms MP, Energy Minister, DTI

‘The issue of by-product disposal has dogged the livestock sector since BSE. Banham are leading the way in finding a valuable and environmentally friendly way of dealing with the issue, and deserve full support in this initiative.’

Nigel Joice, Member, NFU Poultry Board

‘The Banham Power project is innovative and exciting. A growing problem - the residues from chicken processing - is transformed into a feedstock for renewable electricity. When up and running, the power plant will save at least 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and potentially considerably more. Banham have brought together knowledge from different countries, added some new thinking of their own, and come up with a world-leading concept that could have very wide application. Everyone benefits. Many jobs are preserved and new ones created, a waste problem is solved, transport movements and landfill are reduced, and a new source of renewable energy is created.

'This example demonstrates once again that innovation and new thinking can happen in any sector of the economy, and in the rural and agricultural sector as well as in 'high tech' businesses. It is the desire to improve and to innovate that has helped Banham Poultry remain a leader in its industry and driven it to create its own new 'high tech' concept of Banham Power. It is just this attitude that can help Norfolk and the East of England innovate and change and so make low-carbon sustainable prosperity a reality.'’

Dr Bruce Tofield, CRed Carbon Reduction Project, University of East Anglia

'At present, less than 2% of the nation's energy comes from renewable sources. In the Eastern Region, only 0.45% of regional demand is met in this way. In 2001 as part of a national review, the Eastern region adopted a target of 14% of the region's electricity to be produced from renewable sources by 2010....One of the key areas in achieving a target of 14% by 2010 is the planning system.'

GO-East - Renewable Energy and the Planning System, October 2003