Energy market switches it up

The unforeseen impacts of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union continue to emerge. For example, who would have thought the way Scotland’s fourth city handles its waste could be impacted by the electorate’s decision in June?

But, as Andrew Argo has been finding out in this month’s energy focused edition of Business Matters, the poll could well have consequences for the rubbish we put in our bins.

Dundee and Angus send thousands of tonnes of rubbish to the Baldovie incinerator each year, and the burning of the waste is used to create electricity which is fed back to the grid.

The process is potentially lucrative and a German operator has spent months progressing plans for a new £100 million facility for the city.

The group insists it remains committed to the project, but has admitted it is monitoring its UK operations as Brexit uncertainty rises.

Regular contributor Ian Forsyth has been immersing himself in renewable technologies for the October issue, and has been catching up with a project designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty in Fife.

The Glenrothes Heat project is centred around output from RWE Innogy’s newly commissioned biomass plant at Markinch, the largest combined heat and power facility in the UK. The scheme is looking at innovative ways of distributing heat generated at the plant to make offices, commercial units and homes within its environs nice and toasty.

Staying in Fife, Business Matters also brings you an update on the new educational role being fulfilled by the world-leading former Samsung Heavy Industries wind turbine that towers over the Kingdom’s coastline.

We also put the spotlight on a different type of green energy starting to make traction in this region.

Dundee is often acknowledged as Scotland’s sunniest city, and the rays that shine down on the Tay Valley are now being harvested on a commercial scale to produce electricity.

Canadian Solar is behind a major new solar photovoltaics farm on the Errol Estate with the capacity to provide power for thousands of homes.

The Perthshire solar scheme has been given the thumbs-up by Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse, and that came as industry body Scottish Renewables signalled a new chapter in the country’s green revolution.

Star columnist and Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron gives her take on the commercial life of Scotland, and our regular commercial property spotlight looks at the thorny issue of business rates reform.

Add in the latest news from the private sector, and you have a cracking October edition of Business Matters to enjoy.

The rays that shine down on the Tay Valley are now being harvested on a commercial scale to produce electricity.

The green economy is changing how the UK produces power.