Co. Down Farmer Utilizes Anaerobic Digestion to Meet Electricity Needs

Robert Macauley, a dairy farmer in Co. Down, harnesses anaerobic digestion technology to produce all electricity required for his farm using slurry from 650 cows. A 44 kW Biolectric system with two 22 kW CHP engines generates continuous electricity, with 90% used on-site and 10% exported. Installed in 2025, the system supports a circular economy by using separated slurry solids as bedding and mixes rations from ground grain. Macauley reports substantial savings and emphasizes the reliability of AD over renewable sources like solar or wind.

Published Mar 30, 2026

Robert Macauley, a dairy farmer in Co. Down, employs anaerobic digestion (AD) technology to produce all electricity needed for his farm, utilizing slurry from 650 dairy cows. His 44 kW Biolectric system, operational since 2025, features two 22 kW combined heat and power (CHP) engines that convert biogas into electricity continuously.

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Approximately 90% of the generated electricity is used on-site, while the remaining 10% is exported. The AD system supports a circular economy, with separated slurry solids used for bedding and ground grain for cow rations. Macauley notes significant cost savings and the system's reliability compared to solar or wind energy, with the CHP engines achieving a 99.6% efficiency rating.