Company behind Dundee biomass plant remains tight-lipped about its plans
The company behind a controversial bid to build a biomass generator at Dundee docks has refused to say whether they would consider scaling back the project.
An artist's impression of how the Dundee biomass plant may look.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 04.05.11
- Published online : 04.05.11 @ 08.07am
Forth Energy — a collaboration between Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy — wants to build a biomass generator with a 100-metre tall chimney on Dundee docks.
Similar biomass plants are also earmarked for Rosyth, Leith and Grangemouth.
The company claims the generator, which would be built on King George V Wharf south of the Nynas refinery, would be able to provide electricity for 160,000 homes as well as heat for buildings in the city centre by burning 1.3 million tonnes of biomass each year.
The project would create up to 400 jobs during its construction and 40 full-time jobs once the generator is up and running.
However, NHS Tayside has said it has concerns about possible health risks caused by the plant while there has been strong public opposition to the plans.
At The Courier's final hustings in Dundee on Monday, Dundee City East SNP candidate Shona Robison said she would not support the plan until concerns about health and the plant's effect on air quality in the area — which already has nitrogen dioxide levels in excess of legal limits — were addressed.
Ms Robison suggested that Forth Ports might be able to scale back the project to alleviate some of the public's concerns about the development.
She said, "The SNP has said there is a preference for smaller-scale biomass and Forth Energy has to consider the scale of the biomass."
However, the SNP has also pledged to generate all of Scotland's electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
Forth Energy managing director Calum Wilson refused to say if the firm was willing, or if it would be worth the company's investment, to build a smaller plant instead.
Should the company decide to radically alter its plans, then it would need to restart the entire planning process which would jeopardise the firm's hopes of having the plant up and running by 2014.
He said, "Forth Energy remains committed to bringing renewable electricity and heat to the Port of Dundee. We will continue to work with Dundee City Council and the other relevant agencies as part of the consenting process."
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