The power of cow poo in the quest for green energy

Cow Pattery

Cows are fantastic in so many ways. Not only do they make delicious milk, but they can also help to provide reliable, renewable energy to power the UK’s homes. We’re talking about the power of cow pats.

Cow poo can be processed into biogas, which can then be used to create electricity. This process also creates a natural fertiliser as a by-product, helping to nourish the soil and reduce emissions – a win-win situation! It’s a beautiful cycle that could become a key part of our renewable energy ambitions alongside wind and solar power, if we tap into the potential and put the right infrastructure in place across the UK.

Cow poo power facts

  • Arla farms are home to 460,000 cows, which could provide enough power each year for more than 1.2 million UK homes
  • One cow could power three UK homes with the cow pats it produces in a year

Cow pat-powered tankers

Another use of cow poo is to create biofuel for use in vehicles, something we’re also testing out at Arla with our milk delivery tankers. Using something that would otherwise be wasted helps to make dairy farming more sustainable, creating a closed loop of energy and recycling.

Find out more about our poo-powered tankers
Cow pat-powered tankers

ALL OF ARLA'S
COWS COULD
POWER 1.2 MILLION
HOUSEHOLDS

WITH 1 ½ TONNES
OF COW POO
POWER YOU COULD
COMPLETE NETFLIX

JUST 3 KILOS
OF COW POO
HAS ENOUGH
POWER FOR
YOUR DAILY
CUPPA FOR
A YEAR

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