Biomass plant can strengthen Dundee's bid to become renewables hub
The renewables industry can give Dundee a future by supporting the employment of hundreds and indirectly thousands of its people and playing a leading role in helping Scotland meet important energy targets, according to one of the key figures in the green energy sector.
Dundee port.
- By Andrew Argo
- Published in the Courier : 25.04.11
- Published online : 25.04.11 @ 08.51am
Calum Wilson, managing director of Forth Energy, admitted the controversial biomass plant being proposed for the harbour is not crucial to Dundee winning the prize of becoming one of the key renewable energy hubs in Europe.
He believed the plant would strengthen Dundee's bid, however, and could give it an important advantage over rival efforts from ports on the east coast of Scotland and England.
The biomass scheme has been dogged by controversy with strong local concerns about the possible impact of the plant on the environment and cityscape.
Dundee City Council has asked the Scottish Government to defer plans for the biomass plant pending a fuller environmental statement and information on air quality and public health, an approach that could lead to a public inquiry.
This means a decision on the biomass will not be made for some time but Forth Energy, a joint venture between harbour owners Forth Ports and Scottish and Southern Energy who are promoting Dundee's case as a renewables hub, are anxious that the public understand what is at stake.
The biomass plant at King George V Wharf would burn mainly chipped wood shipped in from overseas and subject it to a combustion process to produce heat and electricity. It would create carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through a thin 100 metre stack.
Mr Wilson acknowledged concerns about increases in nitrogen dioxide from the plant's emissions but he believes they can be managed to meet rigorous environmental safeguards, and he urged the public to appreciate the long term benefits of the proposals.
The plant would be located between the Nynas refinery and the river and he believed that from most perspectives the extra visual impact on what is already an industrial site would be minimal (see graphics).
Of greater importance, he considers, is the issue of meeting the country's energy needs and reducing dependence on expensive fossil fuels largely produced — as has been seen-by countries with unstable political regimes. Of more local significance is the economic prosperity of the Dundee area.
Global powerhouse
The Scottish Government wants 80% of Scotland's electricity and 11% of heat to be supplied from renewable sources by 2020, and the SNP manifesto proposes to increase the target for electricity to 100% by that date.
Heavy polluting coal and oil-fired power stations will have to go and there will be no nuclear power plants, and while Scotland boasts a long and successful history with hydro electricity, other energy-producing solutions will be needed.
Onshore and offshore turbines will provide part of the answer, and Dundee hopes to claim a big piece of this industry. The National Renewables Infrastructure Plan outlines how Scotland can become a premier location for the manufacture and installation of offshore energy devices.
Along with Methil, Dundee has been identified among 11 sites as ideal for development to support the offshore industry, and the report recommends these be combined into three regional sites to support the manufacture of offshore turbine components and exploit the subsea expertise that already exists in Scotland.
Alex Salmond has said Scotland has the potential to become a global powerhouse in terms of renewable energy, creating over 5000 manufacturing jobs and generating around £300 million each year for the country's economy.
Forth Energy are championing Dundee's case as a base for the manufacturing of towers, blades and nacelles, an activity which could rejuvenate the city's ailing industrial sites and give employment to many through reviving the engineering skill base.
They have been encouraged by Gamesa, a Spanish company, signing a memorandum of understanding which states it wants to build a manufacturing and servicing plant in the city.
Mr Wilson said, "Competition to secure this industry is fierce and Dundee will be up against bids from other ports on the east coast including Aberdeen and Nigg, and also ports in the north-east of England.
"We think Dundee's case will be enhanced if its bid can include a biomass plant to provide viable and economical renewable energy for the offshore industry we hope to attract here, and for the city area in general. It is not crucial but we do think it will help."
'Thousands' of jobs
He added, "We think Dundee can become one of the key renewable hubs in Europe, and that is quite a prize to pursue. A strong renewable energy industry here will also be a major boost to the local economy.
"What the oil industry did for Aberdeen the renewable energy industry can do for Dundee, and people need to realise this."
The renewable energy generated by the biomass plant will generate 100 megawatts of electricity, equivalent to 86% of the needs of the city, and will be able to generate 30 megawatts of heat which equates to the consumption of six Ninewells Hospitals.
It will also be a major saver of carbon emissions compared to coal-fired and other conventional power stations.
In a spate of statistics, Mr Wilson said the proposed plant represents a capital investment of £325 million, would have a gross value to the local economy of £26.4 million a year, employ an average of 300 people and peaking at 500 over 36 months, and would support 70 operational jobs thereafter.
The port has advantages in that it allows the delivery of biomass fuel by ship which reduces the impact on the road network.
The Dundee biomass plant — and three others Forth Energy want to build at Leith, Grangemouth and Rosyth — would consume only a fraction of Europe's wood chip output, indicating a plentiful and secure supply of fuel.
The electricity it produces will be sold and transferred via underground cables — the distribution network is still in place from the former Carolina Port power station — to the national grid, where it will become part of the mix feeding into the network.
Heat in the form of hot water will be distributed to customers via a flow-and-return network of insulated pipes.
Mr Wilson said, "We've designed a system that could supply the Dundee waterfront development and potentially the V&A building.
"The electricity and heat we can produce from this renewable, low-carbon source will be economical and will be available to the renewables and other industry and other workplaces in Dundee, where it can viably support thousands of people in their jobs and in their lives."
02.02pm - 25.04.2011 Norman McLean - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Mr Wilson ACTUALLY states that the biomass is NOT crucial to Dundee becoming one of the key renewable energy hubs in Europe. Why was this not the headline?
05.43pm - 25.04.2011 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
there is not 1000s of jobs as the headline makes out - there is only 70 jobs going to be available once its up and running. thats not really comparable to the oil industry in aberdeen - this man should have been a spin doctor... once again we are fed nonsense by someone who stands to make millions.
08.17am - 26.04.2011 T. Butchers - DUndee, uk Report This
"Giant Wood Burning Stove" creates how many jobs? How this managed slash and burn policy masquerades as 'green' let alone 'job creating' defies logic.
09.33am - 26.04.2011 Tom - Dundee, Scotland Report This
The amount of scaremongering over this plant has been disgusting. And it's shameful that so many politicians have decided to jump on the anti-biomass bandwagon. Perhaps if the green groups lived where jobs are sorely needed rather than in middle class areas they wouldn't push these health scares.
11.01am - 26.04.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Mark- the servicing of the plant and its proximity to the city centre will help create and sustain many more than 70 jobs. Butch- wood can be replaced while oil, gas, coal and uranium can't. Also, its CO2 is released whether it is burnt or left to rot making it carbon neutral. That makes it green.
11.06am - 26.04.2011 Joe - dundee, Scotland Report This
It would be prudent for homeowners in the area to sell up now. Once the smoke starts blowing their homes will be worthless. Especially if the two windmills are built aswell. Noise and smoke and windmill 'flicker'. A perfect storm.
11.40am - 26.04.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Joe- any pollution created by the Biomass plant (smoke will not be part of it) will be negligible when compared to the pollution caused by the traffic and industry already in the "area". If people in the "area" don't like noise and polution, why did they buy houses there in the first place?
01.53pm - 26.04.2011 HM - Dundee, Scotland Report This
@ Stuart, the reports are the volume of wood required make the proposed Biomass plants not sustainable. Trees left to rott in the ground don't need shipped halfway around the world. AQMA already inplace for this location -this will make it worse!!
02.29pm - 26.04.2011 RATTs - Dundee, UK Report This
Stuart, you are missing the point I think. This plant will be in an AQMA and Dundee City Council has a legal obligation to reduce pollution levels within the area. The plant would bring extra traffic and pollution! SEPA will not grant an operating permit unless current pollution levels are improved
03.19pm - 26.04.2011 T. Butchers - DUndee, uk Report This
Stuart, the specious arguments used by the renewables industry (and let's not confuse that with the Greens) will have us back in the energy dark ages. Using CO2 as some sort of justifiable currency is bizarre. Windmills and Stoves? 21st century anyone?
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