MP opposed to Rosyth biomass plant plan
A Fife MP has said he is against plans put forward by Forth Energy to build a biomass power plant at the port of Rosyth.
- By Lars Niven
- Published in the Courier : 15.07.10
- Published online : 15.07.10 @ 12.56pm
The company, a venture by Forth Ports and Scottish and Southern Energy, wants to build four plants at sites across Scotland.
It plans to spend £1.7 billion on the biomass plants at its port facilities at Dundee, Grangemouth, Leith and Rosyth.
The proposal has already drawn fire from protesters in Dundee and Leith, but so far little or no reaction in Fife.
Thomas Docherty, Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, has now revealed he is opposed to the scheme.
During a House of Commons debate on the UK's energy needs, Mr Docherty said, "The wider issue is how we close the gap between our desire for a low-carbon British economy and our need for energy.
"I suggest that we will do that through three forms of generation.
"I accept the role of renewables, although I am on the record as being slightly more sceptical than some of my colleagues about the size and scale of that.
"For example, biomass, which was seen until recently as the great white hope of renewable energy, has now ... run into serious difficulties with how quickly it is gobbling up forestry in the UK. It is now suggested that several schemes in Scotland proposed by Forth Ports will have to import wood from around the world."
Mr Docherty told The Courier, "I have already written to Forth Ports to say I will be objecting."
When Forth Ports unveiled its plan last year it said the development at Rosyth could create 150 construction jobs and 40 permanent posts.
At the time Forth Ports chief executive Charles Hammond insisted Scotland had the potential to be a power-house in renewables.
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