Plans lodged for energy plant at Perthshire farm
Plans to create a renewable energy plant to power more than 1,000 houses have been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council.
- Published in the Courier : 10.02.12
- Published online : 10.02.12 @ 05.30pm
It would be built at Hills of Bendochy Farm, near Blairgowrie, and it is hoped that it will produce electricity through anaerobic digestion.
This process involves plant and animal material being converted into methane, which can be used to provide ''clean'' energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the need for fossil fuel.
The material left over at the end of the process is rich in nutrients so it can be used as fertiliser.
At Hills of Bendochy, applicant Stuart Gilmore, of ET BioEnergy, has proposed a 500kWel plant that would process up to 9,500 tonnes of green energy crops, such as beet, maize and grasses, each year.
In a supporting statement, applicants RPS Planning and Development said: ''The development would, therefore, make a positive contribution towards achieving the Scottish Government's renewables targets.
''Although there are relatively few farm-based AD plants operating in the UK, AD plants attached to farm units have been utilised as a source of renewable energy in Germany and other locations across Europe and worldwide for a number of years and have been demonstrated to be a reliable technology with minimal environmental impact.''
Owned by the Colville family for more than 30 years, the farm is described in the report as having been managed in an ''environmentally sensitive'' manner.
They will be significantly involved in the operation of the AD plant by managing and supplying feedstock.
It is proposed that around 7,700 tonnes of biofertiliser will be produced, which will be used by the farm on crops for the plant and will help save money by reducing the need for bought-in products.
Any excess energy produced would also be sold and fed into the National Grid, providing a long-term source of income for the farm.
A decision on the proposal is expected by the end of next month.
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