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A proposed £50million "green" power plant that would burn almost half the rubbish the north-east now sends to landfill sites could create up to 175 jobs in an Aberdeenshire town.
Buchan CHP - combined heat and power - is hoping to build a waste-to-energy plant at an industrial estate in Peterhead that will generate heat and electricity by incinerating household and industrial refuse that cannot be recycled.
It is estimated that the plant would be able to take almost half the 262,500 tonnes of waste that Grampian sends to landfill each year, using the energy created to heat and power 10,000 homes and businesses in and around the Buchan town.
The plans have been welcomed by business leaders, who hope the north-east can lead the way in addressing the UK's reliance on landfill.
The waste would be burned at the Upperton industrial estate, on the edge of Peterhead, and the heat created would be used to power a turbine to generate electricity.
The plant would also push heat through a boiler, which would feed hot water directly to homes and businesses.
Grampian produces 350,000 tonnes of waste every year. About 25% of it is recycled and the rest is sent to dumps. It is forecast the proposed plant would burn about 100,000 tonnes of that waste every year, using special technology to minimise emissions.
If planning permission is granted, Buchan CHP plans to invest £50million in the five-acre Upperton site.
The project would create 25 jobs at the plant and up to 150 indirectly as the combined heat and power plant attracts new-technology companies to the area.
Company managing director Glenn Jones said: "After exhaustive searches, the Upperton site was chosen because of its proximity to existing potential energy users, with sufficient space nearby for other companies attracted by the plant to locate or re-locate to the area.
"Having worked in the area for a considerable amount of time, I know there is a reliable workforce available in the Buchan area and the local infrastructure would ensure that the plant is ideally placed to meet the needs of the whole Aberdeenshire area."Both the Peterhead Business Forum and the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce welcome the plan.
Chamber chief Geoff Runcie said: "It would be an excellent example of the range of progressive and technically strong companies which this region has to offer."
Aberdeenshire councillors - who would have to pass the plan - have yet to be convinced about so-called "green" incinerators.
Next month a delegation will visit one in Shetland to learn more.
The Lerwick plant provides hot water and heating.
The public will get its own inspection chance at exhibitions next Tuesday and Wednesday at the Waterside Inn in Peterhead.
Peterhead Business Forum welcomed the plans, saying it underlined current confidence in the town.
Vice-chairman John Pascoe said: "This development would be very much welcomed by the forum.
"A project of this size would bring a substantial investment to the area, demonstrating the confidence in this corner of the north-east.
"We welcome the creation of new permanent jobs, as well as the spin-off construction jobs and jobs in the wider community, during and after the build phase.
"It is refreshing to see an environmentally acceptable solution to waste disposal being tabled, with the added bonus of heat and power being available to local businesses and householders at, hopefully, lower prices than other providers." |
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