Green power station proposal to fire up Highlands economy

PLANS for a wood-burning power station capable of supplying electricity to 40,000 homes in Scotland have been unveiled.

The 30 million scheme, claimed to be the first of its kind in the UK, is planned for former industrial land at Lochaber, near Fort William.

The combined heat and power plant would use locally-sourced wood as fuel and have an output of more than 18 megawatts.

Energy firm Tanaris, which has signed an agreement with Alcan Aluminium to develop the plant on Alcan land, said the proposal would create 200 jobs during the construction phase and 30 permanent posts.

It is also claimed the development will boost the local economy by several million pounds a year.

The company aims to start construction early next year, with electricity being generated two years later.

The long-term plan would be to build similar stations around the UK.

A spokesman for Tanaris said the heart of the development was a high-efficiency power generation station, which would also supply recovered heat to a neighbouring processing plant.

As the scheme develops, other local businesses and private homes may be offered the chance to connect up with the plant for heating and hot water.

The proposal has yet to be put forward for planning approval and, indeed, the announcement came as a surprise to Highland Council officials last night.

A council spokesman said: "This has come completely out of the blue. However we would be delighted to speak to the company to find out more about its plans.

"In broad terms this is the sort of development the council would welcome."

Charlotte Wright, chief executive of the local enterprise company, Lochaber Enterprise, said: "We welcome the announcement by Tanaris Ltd of their intention to create a significant number of jobs in Fort William.

"We are committed supporters of projects that supply sustainable fuel and we look forward to seeing the detailed proposals that Tanaris have for their operation here."