Scottish government grants approval for renewable energy plant

Forth Energy, a joint venture of Forth Ports and SSE, has secured approval from the Scottish government to construct wood fuelled renewable combined heat and power (CHP) plant at the Port of Rosyth.

The CHP plant, which will be built with an investment of about £325m, is expected to deliver around £26m of annual economic benefit to the area.

The facility, which will use wood fuel sourced from overseas, is expected to generate around 120MW of low carbon renewable electricity and 30MW of heat.

Forth Energy said the equivalent of about 40% of the Fife Council area’s electricity needs could be met, with the additional benefit of the potential for a heat distribution network.

The facility is expected to create around 300 construction jobs, peaking at 500 during parts of the build process and about 70 operational jobs to run the plant and handle the fuel.

Compared with fossil fuel alternatives, the plant would demonstrate significant carbon savings over its operating life, according to the company.

Forth Energy managing director Calum Wilson said the Scottish government has approved company’s proposal for a renewable energy plant at Rosyth.

"We look forward to engaging with the Scottish Government, Fife Council and the local community," Wilson added.