Energy minister praises heating system
‘This is exactly the type of project I want to encourage across Scotland’
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Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather MSP praised an eco-friendly heating system he saw in operation in Aviemore yesterday..
He visited the bio-mass plant that runs on woodchips from local forests to heat 100 new homes in the village.
Bosses at Albyn Housing Society, which incorporated the facility as part of its housing development which was completed in December, believe it will help reduce fuel poverty in the area. Based at the Dalfaber Industrial Estate, the system is hailed as one of Scotland’s most progressive bio-mass district heating projects.
Mr Mather said: “This is exactly the type of project I want to encourage in communities across Scotland – innovative renewable energy generation which tackles climate change and promotes sustainable forest management.
“Bio-mass can play an important part in the renewables mix, creating good quality rural jobs and promoting sustainable local solutions to global challenges.”
Donald Lockhart, development director at Albyn, said: “The bio-mass plant is an essential part of our Aviemore building programme and will help reduce fuel poverty in the area.
“With the wealth of forestry industry experience in and around Aviemore area it makes sense to utilise a sustainable wood chip system.
He added: “Working on a project of this scale and employing new methods of bio-mass technology did present its own challenges.”
Mr Lockhart said he was keen to talk with the minister about how bio-mass technology can be developed, how the funding process can be improved and how the profile of bio-mass heating systems can be raised.
The plant is managed on Albyn’s behalf by Caledon Buccleuch BioEnergy.
The success of the project has contributed to Albyn receiving Building Research Establishment Eco Homes accreditation.
