green energy uk provides the new Waitrose shop in Rickmansworth with all its electricity - produced entirely through growing tomatoes.

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.

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.”