My Viewpoint on the Proposed Biomass Power Station in Dundee

A number of constituents have contacted me to covey their viewpoint about the proposed biomass power station in the Dundee Docks. This is not surprising as this is clearly a major issue that reportedly drew a full house at the Gardyne Theatre for the Courier Debate on Wednesday 1st May.

Perhaps what is surprising for constituents is that I have not publicly made a statement about this. Some may have thought that I was sitting on the fence or disinterested, but neither of these explain my public silence on the issue.

A senior legal officer from the Council has advised me that were I to publicly express a view in favour or against the Biomass Power Station now, I should run the risk of not being allowed to vote when the matter comes before a Council committee next month. This is because the decision on the biomass is considered to be quasi-judicial. Rather like a juror in trial, I should only express a view and make a decision when I have all the evidence in front of me at the meeting.

I trust therefore that my constituents will appreciate that my public silence on this issue displays neither indifference nor disinterest on this most important issue for the city; rather my public silence indicates I am listening to the debate and availing myself of the evidence. Furthermore, I can reassure constituents, and other interested parties, that meanwhile I am carefully reading their representations.

Courier Public Debate on Forth Energy Proposed Biomass Power Station Wednesday 1st May

The Courier is hosting a major public event to debate Forth Energy's proposal to build a renewable energy plant at Dundee harbour.

It will be held on Wednesday May 1 at the Gardyne Theatre, Gardyne Road, Dundee, DD5 1NY.

The debate will begin at 7pm (please arrive and be seated for 6.45pm) and will finish at 8.15pm.

The event will be chaired by Steve Bargeton, deputy editor of The Courier. The panel will also welcome questions from the audience.

If you would like to attend please click here to reserve tickets.

Air Quality Study on Dundee Biomass Power Plant Published - 6 Week Consultation Begins

In pursuit of their application for permission to construct and run a biomass power station in the Dundee Docks, Forth Energy has submitted some new information concerning Air Quality. This is in the form of an Addendum to their original application (Addendum 2, April 2013). They have also produced a non-technical summary of this document.

There is now a further period within which to may make comments to the Scottish Government. The opportunity to make further comments closes on 16th May 2013.

If you wish to make any comments on Addendum 2, you can make these to the Scottish Government as follows: 

• In writing to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU.
• Or by email to dundeebiomass@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The full report and the non-technical summary are available for viewing or download.     Full Report      Summary Report

Previous comments made on the original biomass application remain valid.

Rising Demand for Renewable Energy in Dundee Could Drive More Land Grabs in Developing Countries

Wood pellets for fuel

Rising demand for wood fuel worldwide, including in the UK, is helping to increase the number of foreign-owned plantations in developing countries, at the cost of food security, according to a new report from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

According to the report, projected demand for wood chips and pellets in the UK is likely to exceed - by five or six times - the indigenous supply of ten million tonnes a year.

This adds weight to the arguments against the proposed biomass power station in the Dundee Docks. The developers of that plant claim they will source their supplies from the Baltic and North America. The map below shows that already the growing demand for biomass supplies from countries in the north is extending to sourcing from countries in the south; encroaching on agricultural land and reducing food supplies where there is already food insecurity. 

Land areas under known tree plantations wholly or partly for biomass energy in the global South.

I hope SNP ministers in the Scottish Government will bear this in mind when they come to make the final decision about whether to approve this power station or not. While we already know about the health risks of those that will live downwind of this plant, this report from IIED makes it clear that the health risks will also be borne in developing countries through increased food prices and food scarcity.

A biomass power station in Dundee is neither healthy or sustainable for Scotland nor for countries where we will eventually end up sourcing the wood pellet supply.

Last Week to Comment on Proposed Renewable Energy Plant in Dundee Docks

Forth Energy has made an application for permission to develop and operate a 'renewable energy plant' (also referred to in the press as a biomass power station) in the Dundee docks. Forth Energy submitted its application to the Scottish Ministers on 17th August 2010. Comments on the proposals should be made directly to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, by Friday 24th September 2010.

Forth Energy believes that its proposed Dundee Renewable Energy Plant will be a valuable step in tackling the global challenges of climate change and the national challenges of increasing the amount of energy to be generated from renewable sources. In addition they believe that the project will contribute to addressing the potential generation capacity shortfall and security of energy supply issues.

Alternative views are available from the RATTS Action Group in Dundee.

What do you think?

More Information - Dundee Consent Application
Read/download the Non Technical Summary of the Application

How to comment on the application...

Email directly the Scottish Government at:
EnergyConsents@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Or

Post Your Comments to
Scottish Government
The Energy Consents and Deployment Unit
4th Floor
5 Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU

Proposed Biomass Energy Plant, Dundee - Public Exhibition Overgate Centre, 21st-22nd May

Forth Energy are holding an exhibition today and tomorrow in the Overgate Centre in Dundee about their proposals for a Renewable Energy Plant (Biomass) at the Port of Dundee. There will be an opportunity for local people to comment on the proposals at the exhibition, and all these comments will be carefully considered and reflected in the Statement of Participation that will be submitted with the application for planning consent.

Details of the exhibition are as follow:

• Friday 21st May - 9am to 6pm; and
• Saturday 22nd May - 9am to 4pm

Overgate Centre, Upstairs Mall outside Debenhams

Forth Energy staff and project team members will be at the exhibition to answer people’s questions.

Read or download Forth Energy's recent bulletin about their developing proposals for a Renewable Energy Plant at the Port of Dundee.