Biomass plant could kick-start 40 years of development in Leith

Local MSP 'highly dubious' of Forth Energy's environmental claims

A seven-chapter planning application for a biomass energy plant in Leith has been lodged.

The plans, made by Forth Energy - a partnership between Leith dock owners Forth Ports and Scottish and Southern Energy - can be seen in parts online here.

It sparks the start of a consultation period in which public meetings will take place and an opposition petition is expected to be lodged.

Developers hope the new plant will kick-start up to 40 years of development at in the Leith Docks and Waterfront area.

Local community councils and some politicians are against the plans, raising concerns about the plant's potential impact on health, how it might look and how local infrastructure will cope. Some councillors, who will be the first to vote on the plans, are unable to comment publicly until the consultation period ends.

Greener Leith recently coordinated an open letter from local community groups and politicians calling for the Scottish government to halt all plans for biomass energy generation.

They suggested public money would be better spent on other renewable energy projects that could deliver low carbon power faster.

A Facebook group called Leith against the Biomass Plant Campaign currently has more than 450 followers.

Air quality concerns

Campaigners have been looking to Dundee for hope, where Forth Energy's plan for a biomass plant there has been delayed due to concerns about air quality.

Dundee's concerns over emissions came at the same time as it was reported Edinburgh has the third-highest rates of carbon dioxide per-person in the UK.

Forth Energy has also submitted applications for energy plants at the ports in Grangemouth and Rosyth.

Jobs and 'renewable' energy

The company said the Leith plant would create 450 to 700 construction jobs, 45 permanent operational jobs and 30 cargo handling jobs at the Port of Leith.

The firm claims the proposed plant would generate renewable electricity equivalent to 54% of the electrical needs of Edinburgh. It also claims the plant "will be capable of creating one of the largest heat networks in the UK."

Just how renewable the 'fuel' powering the plant - biomass - is, remains controversial and has been questioned by politicians and environmental campaigners.

But Forth Energy says it is a recognised renewable fuel source. The firm says it is "as reliable as coal or gas but with significantly lower environmental impact, generating only one tenth of the carbon arising from equivalent coal fuelled electricity generation and a quarter of the carbon of the current grid electricity."

Forth Energy's managing director Calum Wilson said:

"The Port of Leith is one of the country's leading ports and an ideal location for a renewable energy plant, which can make best use of existing port facilities. Leith has the potential to become a centre for the renewable energy industry and has been identified by Scottish Enterprise as a suitable location to support the expanding off-shore renewable energy industry. The proposed renewable energy plant is well placed to support this development with renewable energy.

"T here is an opportunity to supply renewable electricity and heat to existing and potential future customers, including the proposed new developments at Leith Docks. Edinburgh Waterfront's development is planned to take place over a 30 to 40 year period. The focus of development over the next decade will be on developing the Harbour area, improving and further developing Ocean Terminal and completing Western Harbour. It is important that the waterfront development creates an environment, which is sustainable and energy efficient, and the renewable energy plant is an important part of achieving this vision.

"The economic growth associated to the plant will benefit existing communities in the area. Along with the jobs that the plant will generate, there will be contracting opportunities for local suppliers.

"The plant will make a significant contribution to meeting Scotland's ambitious renewable energy targets of 80% of our electricity and 11% of our heat requirements from renewable sources by 2020."

Opposition

An "overwhelming majority of residents are strongly opposed" to the plans, according to a local MSP.

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP of the SNP said more people have been in touch with her about the plant than any other issue. She said she was "highly dubious" of the environmental claims made by Forth Energy:

"Over the last twelve months, I've received more correspondence from constituents on this issue than any other. The overwhelming majority of residents are strongly opposed to these plans.

"I share their opposition. The power plant proposed by Forth Energy is far too big and would be built in completely the wrong place. The claimed environmental benefits are - to put it mildly - highly dubious.

"I remain optimistic that the application will be refused. However, it's important that as many residents as possible make their views known to the Scottish government before the consultation closes in March."

How to find out more

The app! lication for consent to build the plant goes into technical detail, although it is prefaced with a non-technical summary.

In a bid to help locals understand the details, Planning Aid Scotland is chairing a meeting next week. It starts at 7pm on Wednesday 9 February in Drummond Community High School.

There, people can ask questions of planning experts and representatives of the developer, Planning Aid Scotland. Read more on Greener Leith.

Exhibitions detailing Forth Energy's proposals are taking place over the coming weeks along with details on how members of the public can comment on the proposals.

The exhibitions will be held at the following venues:

31 January to 7 February at Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road
8 February to 21 February at Ocean Terminal
22 February to 11 March, City of Edinburgh Council, 4 East Market Street

One of Leith's local councillors, Marjorie Thomas, sits on the planning committee. She explained that she cannot give her personal views on the application until it is being debated in the council meeting.

However she urged locals to air their views by attending the meeting in Drummond High. She said:

"I would encourage as many people as possible to attend and express their views."

What do you think? Is Leith ready for this development? Does biomass fit into a bigger environmental picture? Have your say below.


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