Heat is on as work starts on town’s £24m system

Aim is to provide low-carbon energy from biomass plant

Work has started on Glenrothes’ £24 million district heating scheme.

Construction of a new energy centre at RWE’s Markinch CHP biomass plant is under way.

The plant will provide heat to homes and businesses across the town, as well as to the council’s headquarters at Fife House.

The local authority’s environment spokesman, SNP councillor Ross Vettraino, hailed the project, which has been in the pipeline for a number of years.

“Bringing a district heating scheme to Glenrothes will help us reach our goal of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020,” he said.

Energy giant RWE awarded the contract for the design and development of the centre to Vital Energi and Balfour Beatty has been appointed the main contractor.

Glenrothes Energy Network is a partnership between Fife Council, RWE and the Scottish Government.

It will provide low-carbon heat to a mix of industrial, commercial, community and residential properties in the town, as well as to the Fife House complex.

Project leaders say there will also be an opportunity to expand the network to supply more homes across Glenrothes.

RWE will provide the heat from its biomass plant while the council will act as service provider.

The aim is to have it up and running by the end of January.

Steve Hicks, RWE project director, said: “This project is important in providing low-carbon heat to support national environmental ambitions.

“District heating schemes are key to providing local communities and businesses with access to cheaper heat from efficient local sources, thereby cutting CO2 emissions.”

District heating schemes are key to providing local communities and businesses with access to cheaper heat

Councillor Ross Vettraino.