Controversial plans for a biomass plant in Dundee are under fresh scrutiny after a local MSP demanded immediate answers on air quality concerns.
Jenny Marra also questioned the green credentials of the plant, which she fears could eventually turn into an incinerator for domestic and commercial waste.
The Labour list MSP also expressed concern about the visual impact on the city’s waterfront area.
She said, “We now need some straight answers from the government minister and MSP for Dundee City East, Shona Robison, on whether she is satisfied that all of these questions have been addressed.”
Ms Robison said the planning application was now in the hands of government ministers and would be decided on a “non-party political basis,” along with similar applications in Rosyth, Grangemouth and Leith.
Forth Energy, a partnership between harbour owners Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy, wants to build the 100 megawatt plant on land south of the Nynas refinery at King George Wharf.
They hope the biomass material which would mostly be shipped in from overseas will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 160,000 homes.
Around 40 people would be employed at the plant, and the company has argued it will support other jobs and also help attract other industry to the city.
However, it has run into fierce opposition from locals worried about the visual impact of the plant and a range of environmental concerns, including the effect of emissions.
Dundee City Council gave the proposal conditional support, with the proviso that concerns about excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide in the area are addressed, and the fate of the application now rests with the Scottish Government.
A briefing paper prepared for Ms Marra by an environmental consultant concludes the green credentials of the proposal depend on where the biomass material is sourced from and questions whether the facility would remain solely a biomass plant.
“There is a risk that the proposed plant is a ‘greenwash’ to meet government renewables targets,” Ms Marra told The Courier.
“The plant will not be green if the fuel to power it is being shipped in from abroad. The carbon footprint that this causes would outweigh any environmental gains.
“We also need assurances that the plant will not turn into an incinerator with permissions to burn domestic and commercial waste.
“If biofuel becomes too expensive to import, can Forth Energy assure people in Dundee that they will not import waste to burn at the detriment of our citizens’ health?
“The air quality concerns are paramount. The proximity to residential areas is of immediate concern This is another issue that needs clarification before a decision is taken by government.”
She continued, “If the plant gets the go-ahead from the SNP government, it will have long-term implications for Dundee. That is why I’m asking for clarification now, so we don’t sleepwalk into a bad decision.”
Ms Robison, who extended her majority in the Dundee City East constituency to more than 10,000 in the Holyrood election, said she was confident the government would give the matter due consideration.
“During the election campaign the Labour Party tried to make this a party-political issue,” she said.
“It was in all their campaign literature and leaflets, and I think the people of Dundee gave their verdict on that.
“There may be concerns about the public health issues that have to be addressed, but I do not think it should be made a party-political issue.”
Forth Energy has consistently maintained all wood used in the biomass burners will come from sustainable sources.
Calum Wilson, managing director of Forth Energy, said, “The proposed renewable energy plant in Dundee is specifically designed to use wood-based biomass fuel it will not burn municipal waste.
“The emissions from the plant are tightly controlled within safe limits under its operating licence, and independently monitored by SEPA to ensure no risk to public health.
“The proposed plant would bring low-carbon electricity and heat to the city, along with significant investment creating jobs in construction and operation.
“The energy plant would help Dundee achieve its vision of being at the forefront of the renewables industry.”