The Scottish Government has confirmed the Dundee biomass public inquiry could take up to a year and would not rule out the possibility of it taking longer.
It was responding to Dundee Council’s decision to formally object to Forth Energy’s £325 million project a move that has triggered a public local inquiry.
Forth Energy succeeded in getting a biomass application for Grangemouth through a public inquiry, but that process took two years.
Concerns have been expressed that a similar timescale could jeopardise the Dundee project if it is approved.Forth Energy had hoped its renewable energy plant, converting chipped wood from North America to electricity and heat, would be built and operating by 2017.
Having to wait longer before it can operate and make any money could affect its commercial viability.
That possibility has occurred to supporters of the scheme, and Dundee council leader Ken Guild said it was an issue only Forth Energy could address.
Asked if they were still committed to the scheme, Forth Energy said they were still considering their position.
“Forth Energy’s proposed plant would create renewable electricity and heat, would bring significant investment and job creation to the city and would help put Dundee on the map as a low carbon city,” a Forth Energy spokeswoman said, adding that the company was focusing on the Grangemouth project in the meantime.
The Scottish Government, which has now received notification of the council’s decision, said: “Dundee Council has objected to the Port of Dundee biomass plant proposal, so unless this objection is later withdrawn Scottish Ministers will proceed to call a public local inquiry.
“The developer would have two options for how they wish to proceed request that Scottish ministers proceed to a Public Local Inquiry or withdraw their application.
“There is no set timeline for a public local inquiry however, on average they can take between six and 12 months.”
When put to her that the Grangemouth inquiry took two years, Forth Energy’s spokeswoman said the average was six to 12 months, but admitted it could take longer.