Plans to create a new centre for renewable energy could make Tiverton the country's greenest town.

By using waste products and agricultural crops from Tiverton and the surrounding area, Tiverton Energy Centre will produce electricity and fuels as well as fertiliser for growing local crops and food.

The aim over the next five years is to make Tiverton's 20,000 population completely non-dependant on fossil fuels.

Winston Reed, a local farmer and founder of Greener for Life, which is behind the plans, said: "The project will transform Tiverton into a 'zero waste to landfill' town resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

"It will help to reduce our impact on the environment and slow down climate change. It will even reduce waste disposal costs for every household and could help to reduce Council Tax charges!"

The plant will ultimately have the potential to provide Tiverton with enough electricity for up to 10,000 homes, and enough bio fuels to run the equivalent of nearly 14,000 cars a year - all from regionally grown crops which will add to the area's sustainability.

Tony Gould, fellow director of Greener for Life, said: "Tiverton Energy Centre will provide sustainable fuel and food security, something which could become more important in the not too distant future.

"It will provide Tiverton with employment, tourism and education opportunities. An added benefit means that the extra revenue created will be kept within the Mid Devon Community creating local regeneration and wealth."

The centre will be built in stages over the next five years, starting with an Anaerobic Digestion plant. Biofuels, wind generation and biomass will follow subject to environmental and planning concerns, followed by the newer technologies of hydrogen production and algae for biodiesel.

It will be a showcase for the UK and is expected to cost a total of £25m over the next six years. The centre will be located at Gibbet Moor Farm, six miles out of town off the A361.

Plans are well under way for the development of the centre and it is hoped, subject to planning and other environmental protection controls, that it will begin to generate power and produce fuel in 2009.

A further two energy centres are currently being proposed in the London M25 area and within the South West.