Projects

FAQ

What is biomass?

Biomass fuel comprises virgin wood, forest industry and agricultural co-products and energy crops such as coppiced willow and miscanthus. Biomass is considered renewable because it is sourced from plants and trees. Biomass absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while it is growing and emits it when it decays or when burned. It can also be grown quickly so biomass harvested for fuel can be replaced quickly.

Why does the UK need to develop biomass power plants?

As part of a move to a low-carbon economy, the UK is committed to increasing the use of renewable energy in electricity, heat and transport. Biomass power plants contribute to a more diverse energy mix and therefore provide greater security of supply and price stability, as well as reducing carbon emissions. In addition to electricity generation, biomass power plants can be capable of supplying renewable heat to local industry, businesses and housing.

3.	Do biomass power plants generate odours?
	Biomass plant emissions are odourless and all biomass fuel is usually stored in enclosed fuel stores.

Are biomass power plants noisy?

The plant and machinery such as conveyors, chippers, pumps and fans are generally shielded or situated in sound insulated buildings. The turbines and generators are fully enclosed so overall there is relatively little noise emitted from biomass power plants. Modern cooling systems are also very quiet. In the case of the proposed plant at Corpach, the degree of noise attenuation required to ensure that levels are below the criteria has been specified in the form of an indicative mitigation package. The implementation of this package, or an agreed alternative package that leads to similar or lower noise levels at the receptors, would ensure that operational noise from the plant would not give rise to disturbance of local residents.

5.	Is there a fire risk from biomass plants?
	Like all industrial complexes and thermal power plants, biomass power plants have strict fire safety procedures to minimise the risk of fire. For example, internal segregated storage of biomass fuel and fuel handling operations are designed to reduce any risks.

Is there any threat to human health from biomass plants?

Modern energy plants have very low emissions into the atmosphere as flue gases are filtered and pollutants captured by technology at the plant in order to conform to stringent European Emissions Regulations. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has to be satisfied that the plant is not a risk to human health and will only issue an operating permit when it is sure that the plant complies with the Regulations.

7.	How many years do renewable energy plants operate for?
	Biomass plants typically have an expected operational lifespan of 25 years.

8.	What happens to the by-products, such as ashes and residues, during the operation of a plant from?
	By-products are taken from site and used in other processes, such as block manufacture, fertiliser production, or taken to landfill.

Where would the plant be located?

The proposed biomass power plant would be situated within the Corpach Harbour area, which I located to the south of the village of Corpach. The site is bound to the north by the Fort William / Mallaig Railway Line, beyond which runs the A830 Mallaig Road. Further beyond this are the BSW Kilmallie Sawmill and residential properties. To the east and south is Loch Linnhe, and to the west a disused paper mill site part of which has recently been subject to development relating to the Kilmallie sawmill.

10.	How would the site be accessed?
	Access to the site is taken from the A830 via the existing level crossing. It has good access infrastructure for use during construction and for the delivery of fuel once the plant is in operation. The site’s location affords good access to the forestry resources of the region.

11.	Would there be any need for new pylons and overhead power lines?
	No. Electricity generated would be distributed to the nearest National Grid substation by an underground cable. Renewable heat would be distributed through an underground pipe network.

12.	How much electricity would the plant generate?
	The proposed 20 megawatt plant would be able to generate enough electricity to meet the average needs of up to 37,000 homes, equivalent to more than one-third of the homes in the Highland Council Region.

13.	How many tonnes of CO2 emissions would be offset by the plant?
	The plant would deliver a saving of up to 68,000 tonnes of CO2 every year in comparison to generation from a traditional power plant.

14.	Would any jobs be created through developing the plant?
	Yes. The £70m investment offers potential contract opportunities for local businesses during construction and operational phases. It is expected that over 100 constructions jobs would be created during the two-year construction period and around 15-20 permanent operational posts would be available.

15.	How large would the plant be?
	It is anticipated that the plant’s main boiler house would be about 40 metres high and the single chimney stack would be up to 55 metres high based upon the initial stack height assessment. The site itself comprises approximately 10 acres of land owned by Clydeport the majority of which is currently vacant.

16.	Would wildlife be affected by construction and operation of the plant?
	As part of the planning application, Peel Energy has to demonstrate that wildlife would not be unduly affected by the construction and operation of the plant. Comprehensive environmental studies are being undertaken, the scope of which have been agreed with the relevant statutory bodies. These studies form the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and include terrestrial and marine ecology.

17.	When would construction begin?
	If planning permission is granted, it is proposed that construction starts in 2012 and that the plant could commence commercial operation in 2014.

18.	How would the biomass fuel be delivered to the plant?
	Fuel would be delivered to the site by road. About 40 lorry deliveries on an average day and 60 lorry deliveries on a maximum day would be required. In the future it may be possible to offload biomass fuel at the site from barges using the adjacent CLYDEBoyd dock facility.

19.

Would biomass be the only fuel used at the plant?

The plant would need up to 267,000 tonnes of fuel per annum. While there remains the potential to use energy crops such as miscanthus or short rotation forest crops like willow or poplar, the vast majority of the feedstock would be direct from forestry sources or co-products from existing forest industries, such as sawmilling. There is no intention to utilise recycled wood or waste in the fuel mix.

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