Anaerobic Digestion: The top 10 insurance risks to ...

Anaerobic Digestion: The top 10 insurance risks to ...

Carl Gurney, Renewable Energy Director, Marsh Commercial

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Anaerobic digestion is becoming an increasingly important process in managing waste and producing energy. According to research, insurance plays a critical role in mitigating the numerous risks associated with the operation of AD plants. Here we delve into the top ten risks that should be considered and managed effectively.

10 Factors to Consider

1. Navigate the Site Purchase

Risks:

When selecting and leasing a site, various restrictions on land ownership and use may arise. Issues such as covenants, limits on rights of way, or access restrictions for vehicles and pedestrians can become obstacles. Missing documents or title disputes can further complicate the process. Furthermore, third-party legal reviews can challenge planning permissions granted.

2. Manage the Construction Process

Risks: Construction of buildings, plant equipment erection, and facility commissioning and testing can bring multiple risks. Possible damages to equipment, plant, and structures can delay the construction schedule. Additionally, third-party property damage, environmental impact, and injuries to contractors or the public are potential hazards.

3. Purchase and Protect Your Equipment

Risks: Equipment and parts are vulnerable to damage during erection, testing, or transit. Consider marine and transit cover to safeguard against damage while in transit or storage. Operational risks include fires, storms, theft, vandalism, and breakdowns. Ensure that the equipment is suitable for your plant to avoid delays and additional costs.

4. Disaster Recovery and Continuity Planning

Risks: Downtime due to breakdowns, damages, disasters, or security breaches can be extensive, potentially lasting over a year. Involving regulatory bodies like the Health and Safety Executive or Environment Agency might extend interruptions. Alternative materials or backup equipment solutions can elevate costs.

5. Safeguard the Environment

Risks: With AD plants handling potentially hazardous matter, malfunctions pose significant risks to the surrounding environment, possibly affecting neighboring properties, ecosystems, and habitats. It may attract regulatory enforcements, fines, and negative publicity.

6. Survive a Cyber-Attack

Risks: Cyber-attacks can severely compromise plant operations, either by holding your site to ransom or through system security breaches. Attacks can originate from third parties accessing your site or even emanate from your infrastructure.

7. Support Your Directors

Risks: Directors bear personal responsibility for various operational elements. Regulatory breaches or legal infringements can lead to investigations or prosecutions, particularly if incidents result in accidents or injuries.

8. Pre-Empt and Protect Against Legal Matters

Risks: Legal support might be necessary in disputes with employees, public bodies, or third parties. These issues can escalate to claims or settlements, requiring substantial legal intervention.

9. Protect Your Staff, Visitors, and the Public

Risks: AD plants are inherently dangerous. Proper safety measures are essential to prevent serious injuries or fatalities to employees, visitors, passers-by, or neighbors.

10. Decommissioning Your Plant

Risks: Safe decommissioning at the plant's end-of-life phase is crucial. Preparing in advance for this stage can mitigate potential hazards and associated risks.

Here to Help

For more information about what you can do to mitigate these 10 factors, download your free copy of the Marsh Commercial Anaerobic Digestion whitepaper.

Plus, don’t miss Carl Gurney, Renewable Energy Director, Marsh Commercial at the World Biogas Expo 2022 for the panel discussion “Biogas: How to build out fast and build out successfully” on June 15, 10:30-11:15, where he will discuss what the insurance industry seeks in a project.

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Source:

1 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/anaerobicdigestion-realisingthe-potential–2

Marsh Commercial is a trading name of Marsh Ltd. Marsh Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for General Insurance Distribution and Credit Broking (Firm Reference No. 307511). Copyright © 2021 Marsh Ltd. Registered in England and Wales Number: 1507274, Registered office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London EC3R 5BU. All rights reserved.

A business of Marsh McLennan.

This article is provided for the purpose of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. Specific advice should be obtained before deciding to act (or not act) on the contents of this article. This article does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. We are not qualified to provide, and will not provide, legal or regulatory advice. We recommend obtaining such specific legal or regulatory advice from relevant professional advisers.

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