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Proposals for a major renewable energy scheme for the Fort William area named the Corpach Biomass Energy Plant (CBEP) have been unveiled by Peel Energy.
The scheme would generate enough electricity to meet the average needs of approximately 37,000 homes – equivalent to more than one-third of the homes in the Highland Council region. The plant would also be able to provide renewable heat that could be utilised by industry, businesses and housing in the area.
The site at Corpach Harbour near Fort William is the proposed location for a 20MW dedicated biomass plant to be fuelled with clean wood from local forestry sources. The proposals would take advantage of the site's portside location and build upon the existing timber trade handled at the harbour which is owned by Clydeport.
Peel Energy, which along with Clydeport is part of the Peel Group, has been engaging with The Highland Council's pre-application planning service and in April submitted a report setting out the scope of environmental studies that will need to be carried out before a planning application can be made. The Council and other stakeholders have now formally commented on the report and further environmental assessments will now begin.
Jonathan Burley, Peel Energy’s Development Manager, said, “We are still carrying out detailed technical and environmental studies on the site, but we believe it is a good location for a biomass plant."
Although Peel Energy does not anticipate submitting a planning application for the Corpach Biomass Energy Plant until later this year, it is committed to engaging with the community regarding the proposals from an early stage.
Once plans are more defined, public exhibitions will be held and members of the Peel Energy team, along with environmental specialists, will be on hand to discuss proposals with the local community. Details of these events will be published in the local press and on the Peel Energy web site.
Biomass is renewable because it is sourced from plants and trees. It is also considered to be carbon neutral as the carbon dioxide released during combustion is equivalent to the amount absorbed by the plant during its growth cycle.
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