Green energy developers are preparing to unveil plans for a major biogas plant on the edge of Peterhead.
The proposed facility will transform farmyard waste into a re-usable methane which will be pumped into the UK’s gas network, creating enough energy to power 3,500 homes.
If approved, the development could be the first of its kind in Scotland.
The scheme is being spearheaded by the recently formed Edinburgh firm Buchan Biogas. Bosses believe the project will work as an alternative to wind energy.
Later this week, the group will unveil its plan to the public as part of a statutory consultation exercise before a detailed application is tabled.
If backed by local councillors, the facility could be up and running by next summer.
Last night, a spokesman for the firm was quick to allay fears that the development would be some kind of incinerator.
Referring to another company’s previously unsuccessful waste-to-energy plant, which triggered protests in Peterhead five years ago, he said: “It’s absolutely nothing like that.
“This incinerator has been mentioned to us, but I can assure you that this is a completely different project.”
He said: “If there are emissions of methane gas leaking from our site, then that means we are losing money, so we’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
The recycling process is known as anaerobic digestion (AD) and uses energy crops and farm yard waste to produce renewable methane, which is then cleaned and injected into the gas distribution network as a replacement for natural gas.
The earmarked site is Downiehills Farm, some three miles west of Peterhead, and a handful of full-time jobs would be created.
“This is very new technology and at the moment there is nothing like it in Scotland,” said the company’s spokesman.
“There is a bit of a race going on to be the first in the country. If we get planning permission, it will take between six and seven months to build.”
Residents will get their first chance to see the designs when they go on show at Peterhead’s Palace Hotel on Wednesday from 2-7pm.
