10 July 2025
Learn how Peter Clarke, AD Maintenance Engineer, keeps our food waste recycling operations smooth, safe and sustainable every day.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m responsible for maintaining and improving the food waste processing machinery used in the anaerobic digestion process across four of our sites: Cassington, Roundhill, Coleshill and Derby.
My role involves responding to machinery breakdowns, carrying out repairs and identifying opportunities for improvement to keep operations running smoothly. I work on a wide range of mechanical equipment — including gearboxes, screws, bearings, housings, hammer mills, pneumatic valves and various types of pumps — making every day different and challenging.
Health and safety are at the core of what I do. I handle the necessary paperwork such as risk assessments, permits and ensure isolations are in place before any work begins. I regularly liaise with site managers, operational staff and our regional manager to coordinate work and ensure minimal disruption to the process.
Every Friday, I help plan the schedule for the upcoming week, prioritising sites based on maintenance needs. However, critical breakdowns can happen at anytime, and we need to respond quickly to keep things running.
Do you travel frequently between different sites?
Yes, it's part of my role and we plan our schedules carefully to minimise time spent on the road. Wherever possible, we aim to stay at one site for the full day to focus on the work and avoid unnecessary travel.
Typically, I start my day early to be on-site by 7am, which also allows for the flexibility to finish earlier if the job is completed — often getting home by 5pm. The company is great at recognising the effort we put in and overtime is paid when required.
The travel aspect doesn’t negatively impact my daily work. With good planning and communication, I know exactly where I need to be and how long each job will take. This helps me manage my weekly schedule effectively. Our manager is also very understanding, allowing flexibility when needed, including shorter days after longer shifts.
Overall, travelling between sites adds variety to the job and keeps things interesting — it’s never the same day twice.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
One of the things I enjoy most is the strong sense of teamwork and cooperation. Everyone looks out for each other, and we all share the same goal: keeping the plant running efficiently so we can process waste and produce green energy. There’s a real sense of purpose in what we do.
It’s a supportive environment — if I’m unsure about something, I can always turn to a colleague for advice. Whether it’s troubleshooting an issue or urgently sourcing a part from another site, the team is always willing to help. That kind of collaboration makes a big difference in a hands-on role like this.
What really motivates me is knowing that the work we’re doing has a positive impact. We’re not just fixing machines — we’re helping to recycle waste and turn it into something valuable: renewable energy. There’s real satisfaction in being part of a process that contributes to a greener future.
What kind of skills or experience have helped you succeed in this position?
I spent over 22 years in the Royal Air Force as an engineer, which gave me a strong foundation in engineering, a focus on doing things the right way and a commitment to safety and professionalism. That background has been essential in this role, where precision, responsibility and high standards really matter.
Beyond technical knowledge, continuous training plays a big part in staying effective and up to date. We regularly take part in training relevant to our work — such as High-Risk Confined Space entry, electrical conversions, plant machinery operations and even manufacturer-led sessions. That kind of hands-on experience not only improves our skills but also helps reduce costs for the business by avoiding unnecessary replacements.
Other skills that have really helped me include welding, hydraulics and general mechanical knowledge. Being able to diagnose issues quickly, understand the processes involved and work with the right tools are all crucial. A full driving licence is also important, as we travel between multiple sites.
In short, it’s a mix of solid engineering experience, ongoing learning and a proactive, team-focused approach that makes this job both rewarding and successful.
What do you find most rewarding in your role?
It's the sense of pride and achievement you get when resolving a major breakdown or completing a complex job. It’s a real team effort here from our manager down, everyone looks out for each other. That strong support network makes even the toughest days more manageable.
The remuneration and benefits package are also excellent. Everyone likes to be paid fairly for the work they do, and Green Power recognises that. Personally, I make use of the healthcare benefits, including dental care and I also take advantage of staff discounts. These extras really add value to the role.
It’s not always a clean job — sometimes it can be dirty and physically demanding. But if you look past that and focus on the purpose behind what we’re doing, it’s incredibly fulfilling. We’re part of something bigger: turning waste into renewable energy and contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
There’s also room to grow. A few years ago, I completed the Future Leader Programme, and while there may not be a management role available right now, my manager trusts me with planning and coordinating work, giving me the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities within the team.
At the end of the day, it’s the mix of good pay, strong team culture, valuable benefits and meaningful work that makes this role so rewarding.