Royal Watch News

Prince Charles visits Dorset biogas plant

Nov 22, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Prince Charles

Britain's Prince Charles opened a food-powered biogas plant in Dorset yesterday (21.11.12).

The 64-year-old royal - who has strong opinions about environmental issues - visited the anaerobic plant near Martinstown in Dorset, on land owned by the prince, and admits he was intrigued as to how it works.

While unveiling the plant on Rainbarrow Farm, he said: 'I have been badgering the Duchy and others over the years to find a way of kick-starting the anaerobic digestion sector in this country.

'When we first started looking at Poundbury 25 years ago, I remember wanting to try and see if we could then start something like this related to human sewage. But I'm afraid I was 25 years too early.'

Maize, grass, chocolate and other food waste is used to power the plant.

Earlier in the day, Charles visited the Dorset County Hospital to open a special ward for cancer patients, where he unveiled a plaque and also took a trip to the mammography suite and the orthopaedic ward.