Plans for Leith biomass plant ditched after public outcry
How the biomass plant might have looked from Constitution Street
Plans for a huge biomass energy plant in the port of Leith have been scrapped after a massive public outcry - despite the area being designated a major renewables hub by the Scottish Government.
Forth Energy, a joint venture between dock operator Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy, has spent almost two and a half years pursuing plans for the massive energy plant.
It has told the Scottish Government it is scrapping the Leith venture but is pressing ahead with three others in Rosyth, Dundee and Grangemouth.
Heritage groups had warned that the massive plant would have become Edinburgh’s unwelcome equivalent of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The official announcement from Forth Energy today made no mention of the level of political and public concern over the plans, which would have involved the building of a chimney stack 120 metres tall - twice the height of the Scott Monument on Princes Street.
Calum Wilson, managing director of Forth Energy, said: “Much has changed since we first applied for permission to build the plant at Leith, not least the port’s emerging status as a hub to support the Scottish offshore renewable energy industry.”
Charles Hammond, chief executive of Forth Ports, added: “The level of demand from renewables companies keen to locate at the port means it is appropriate that we draw breath while we see how the land configuration at the port evolves.”
It was hoped that the facility would have been able to provide renewable energy for 54 per cent of the Capital’s electricity needs.
But most of the fuel - in the form of wood chip - was to come from forests overseas, including as far afield as the United States.
Forth Energy had last year asked the council to delay considering plans for the Leith plant, after more than 1800 members of the public objected.
Days later it emerged that the government had ordered a complete overhaul of plans for Leith Docks under a new partnership with the council and Scottish Enterprise.
The government would have had the final say on the project but would have been forced to order a public inquiry if the council had objected.
Last month it emerged that the government had designated Leith and Dundee as special renewables enterprise zones.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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Comments
There are 17 comments to this article
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Scozzy
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:22 AMComment removed by moderator
Col Troll IV
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 01:49 AMHappy days!
dgg
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:50 AM#14 It's amazing what you can do with modern photographic techniques, isn't it?
The Troll in Leith
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:14 AMHas the photographer had a sniff of the barmaid's apron?
dgg
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:27 PMI'm not surprised. I live in Leith and I saw no point in being a NIMBY - the prevailing winds and currents would have landed any possible outfall everywhere but Leith! - but how this was ever going to fit with other plans for housing and indistry, or how they could justify even more wood imported from Sacndinavia - gawd only knows. =================================================== #11 there are already plans for a small wind generator near Matalan. Be careful what you wish for. =================================================== In my opinion the real issue is the way in which Forth Ports and their parent company and associates fly kites. They are a business, with business motives. They're not here primarily for the good of Edinburgh or Leith.
Always look on the bright side of Leith
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:08 PMI suppose that there are pros and cons associated with the plant being built but I have to say that I am glad that common sense has prevailed and they have decided not to persue this particular project. I was never convinced that the Leith was the most practical spot for a plant of this size.
Lachie Mhor
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:28 PMNo doubt Benito and the eco warriors will build a windfarm on the site.
Niebiosa tam sa naprawde nieskrzydlowe ludzie tam
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:04 PMMMMhh pity it didn't burn Bull Sh1t, tons & tons of it availible care of CEC.
tested
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 03:53 PMThe benefits are only to the company by way of subsidy and grants. Normally wood is a relatively carbon neutral fuel in that if it is replaced the trees soak up and equivalent amount of CO2 to that produced when it is burnt, however if you are transporting it half way across the world with no say as to its sustainability then it ceases to be carbon neutral. Except of course to some gullible green like # 1. Big businees is out to exploit the renewables industries and in so doing care little about their efficacy in reducing emissions. They only get away with it because most "green" supporters are halfwits who will swallow anything as long as the green tag is stuck on it. In fact the gullible greens are causing more harm than good by lending their uninformed support to the "pseudo green" which means that real environmentally friendly products are starved of development capital. Commercial scale windpower is an obvious example only a complete buffoon would support it on either economic or environmental grounds.
leithforme
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:26 PMbrilliant, simply brilliant news! well done to all who objected etc :-)
Jason the 1st
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:05 PM#2. How does punctuation and grammatical inability eliminate anyone from opion or shall I say opinion? You may agree or disagree with a comment but a valid comment it is.
insiderscoop
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:04 PMMajor LOL @ #2 Quote" basic puctuation" - hahahahahahahaha_______.
Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:02 PMGood. Now let's put the money towards a nuclear power station.
Kalo
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:54 PM#2 Puctuation eh?
Account deleted
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:23 PMSurely the aesthetical appearance comes second after the benefits for the economy? In these tough times surely job offers and all the other economical benefits this would bring surely outweigh what it looks like?
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