Markinch biomass plant remains in shutdown following valve fault

Work has still not resumed at a Fife industrial site after a valve fault brought operations to a halt two weeks ago.

A controlled shutdown of RWE’s Markinch Biomass CHP plant was carried out after residents reported hearing a noise “like jet engines taking off” overnight.

It is understood the fault coincided with a planned closure for routine maintenance at the end of last month.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said noise levels would be monitored once the plant restarts.

A Sepa spokesperson said: “Every day Sepa works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment and we are clear that compliance is nonnegotiable.

“Sepa received notification from RWE, the operator of the Markinch Biomass Plant, on Wednesday October 24, advising that they were in the process of carrying out a controlled shutdown at the site after a steam valve failure resulted in noise impacts to the local community.

“Sepa is in contact with the operator and is carrying out an investigation into this. We are awaiting confirmation from RWE on when they intend to restart the site.”

The agency said RWE would be expected to carefully monitor the site when work resumes to ensure the repair has been effective.

Members of the public are advised to contact Sepa’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 0800 807060 to report any noise nuisance.

A report into noise levels at the plant is expected in the near future. Earlier this year, locals claimed the din was a “flagrant breach” of planning conditions and was affecting their health.