Cardenden biomass project comes with promise of cheaper energy for tenants
Work on a £35 million project to provide cheaper heating and hot water to hundreds of homes in Cardenden could start by the middle of next year.
- By Craig Smith
- Published in the Courier : 22.08.11
- Published online : 22.08.11 @ 02.51pm
Ore Valley Housing Association's detailed planning application for the 4.5 megawatt Cardenden Heat and Power (CHAP) biomass plant is being considered by Fife Council.
It is claimed that, if approved, the renewable energy project could reduce carbon emissions by 21,000 tonnes a year, while surplus electricity will be sold to the national grid.
The housing association and the local authority are the main parties involved in the project. While Ore Valley has 350 tenants in Cardenden, the council has around 700 who could be in line to benefit.
Ore Valley director Andrew Saunders said: "It's taken longer than we had hoped to get to this stage, but it has been rather complex.
"Some environmental work has to be done with regards to the planning application and once this has been completed we hope to get a decision soon.
"If we get the green light, the aim is to get on site as early as possible next year."
Mr Saunders hoped the project would have significant benefits for the local community, with the possibility of using excess heat from the biomass plant to fuel a horticulture development also being examined.
"This is very much a social enterprise, addressing issues such as fuel poverty by providing heat and hot water at up to 10% less than current market prices and any profits will go into a community chest for the benefit of Cardenden," he continued.
"It will help provide local employment and training opportunities, with spin-offs for existing local businesses. This is very much a win-win for tenants, as it would reduce energy costs and provide significant benefits for the local community."
04.39pm - 22.08.2011 Ronald Yeoman - Cardenden, United Kingdom Report This
The tenants who will benifit start a mile away from the proposed plant. The private houses who will suffer the noise and pollution are a quarter of a mile away. You have no right to work hard and be succesful in Fife. Drag the home owners down; serves them right for being succesful.
07.59pm - 22.08.2011 Jock Ferguson - Newburgh, Scotland Report This
Aye, aye heard it all before. 'Community chest'. Is that the thing on the Monopoly board? Usual attempt to con people while big business gets the real rewards.
10.38am - 23.08.2011 D Smith - Dundee, Uk Report This
Is cheaper heating worth being covered in carcinogenic dioxins? Now there's a difficult question. Just remember how many breaches Baldovie has and how you only find out after the event.
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