The electricity is a by-product from tomato farms in Chichester and Stansted – both Waitrose suppliers. Combined Heat and Power units* are used on the farms – producing carbon dioxide to feed tomatoes. The units generate heat as a by-product, which is used both to warm the greenhouses and to drive a turbine, creating electricity. The resulting electricity is fully sustainable, and fulfils the Waitrose Rickmansworth shop’s total electricity needs.

green energy uk’s electricity comes entirely from green sources, including pig waste, vegetable oil and organic waste gasification. green energy uk founder and Chief Executive, Doug Stewart, says: “Electricity from growing tomatoes is extremely positive because it has multiple benefits and no waste – all the heat is used for warming the greenhouses, the CO2 is ‘fed’ to the plants and the electricity goes to consumers and businesses who want green power. It’s great to work with Waitrose on a project like this because it makes a great deal of sense to use these resources. It’s an excellent piece of joined-up-thinking”

Bill Wright, Energy and Environment Manager at Waitrose, says: “Waitrose insists on high environmental standards across its business and all our other branches source their electricity entirely from renewable sources.

“However we feel that so called ‘tomato power’ is an idea worth exploring. In addition to being an environmentally sound option, this surplus energy also helps the farms generate additional income – so everyone benefits.”

Doug Stewart continues: “There are massive infrastructure and technology issues in moving away from our present carbon economy. It is important to promote the introduction of new technologies to substitute for fossil fuels and make renewable and green technologies a greater part of the mix. This will eventually drive energy prices down as greener technologies improve and our reliance on fossil fuels lessens. In theory the UK has the resources to receive all of its electricity from green means, all we need to do is harness this potential, and we are making great strides in that direction.”