Administrators say 40 people have expressed an interest in the plant

Holsworthy Biogas, which opened in July 2002, went into administration last month because of debt obligations.

Company chairman Charles Clarke confirmed the management of the plant had "put in a bid".

A shortlist of offers is now set to be drawn up by administrators BDO Stoy Hayward, following more than 40 expressions of interest.

Environmental awards

The complex converts animal and food waste into renewable electricity for bio-fertilisr and the National Grid.

The plant, which employs 13 people, is capable of generating 2.2 megawatts of electricity per hour which is sufficient to maintain 1,000 households.

Turnover for the year ending December 31, 2004 was about �1.3m, and projected operating profit for the 12 months ending December 2005 is expected to be in the region of �360,000.

Half the cost of the �7.7m plant came from Europe and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.