Food Waste Recycling Facility Resumes Full Operation One Year After Explosion

A food waste recycling facility has resumed operations a year following a significant explosion at its premises, which was triggered by a lightning strike. The incident occurred on 2 October 2023, when an anaerobic digestion (AD) tank at the Severn Trent Green Power site in Cassington, Oxfordshire, sustained multiple lightning strikes. This caused the internal gases to ignite and detonate. According to the company, the event had “no ongoing ramifications” for its operational activities. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed that it did not pursue further action subsequent to conducting “a detailed review” of the location. Severn Trent Green Power operates a total of 11 anaerobic digestion facilities and four composting sites, which together process approximately half a million tonnes of organic waste annually. No injuries were reported from the explosion at the Cassington site. Andrew Simm, operations director for Severn Trent Green Power, characterized the incident as “short-lived.” Mr. Simm further stated that the facility has been “back up and running at full capacity” since the summer, attributing this to “the hard work of our teams.” Repairs involved the refurbishment and replacement of three out of the five anaerobic digestion tank roofs that sustained damage in the fire, alongside a section of an adjoining structure. The company indicated that each digester underwent re-cladding, re-roofing, and upgrades with the most current materials available. A spokesperson confirmed, “While repairs took place, the facility continued to operate at reduced capacity, ensuring we were still able to accept food waste for the local authorities and customers who rely on our service.” A spokesperson for the HSE stated that the agency conducted a site visit after the explosion. This visit encompassed a “detailed review of the health and safety arrangements” but did not lead to the initiation of a formal investigation.