Council welcomes Scottish Government investment in Glenrothes Heat

This funding is part of the Government’s Scottish Energy Strategy - to deliver around 50 per cent of the energy required for Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030.

Robin Presswood Head of Economy, Planning and Employability said: “We’re delighted to hear the Scottish Government are committing to this investment in Fife.

“Glenrothes Heat could contribute significantly to our ambitious climate change targets and could potentially reduce fuel poverty in Glenrothes households and provide cost savings for businesses. We’re looking forward to progressing this innovative low carbon heat project with RWE and the Scottish Government."

Glenrothes Heat is a collaboration between Fife Council, RWE Markinch Limited and the Scottish Government.

RWE’s Head of Biomass for RWE Markinch, Ian Calvert, also welcomed the announcement, saying: “Today’s announcement by the Scottish Government to award funding to Glenrothes District Heat scheme is a fantastic boost for the project.

“This scheme offers the opportunity to provide affordable heat to local businesses and homes and lowering carbon emissions through the use of hot water at the nearby Markinch power plant. We are proud to be part of this project and will work towards submitting planning permission for the Energy Centre in the coming months.”

Glenrothes Heat would supply low carbon heat to a range of business, community, public sector and domestic customers in the centre of Glenrothes. In March, a planning application notification was submitted to Fife Council for the construction of the heat distribution network. Consultation events have been held to inform local people about the scheme, and answer any questions about the construction and planning application. A full planning application will be informed by this consultation and issued later this year.

The district heating network will use the heat from RWE’s Markinch biomass CHP plant. In the coming weeks, RWE will submit a planning permission for an energy centre on its operational power station site. The unit will use steam from the power station’s turbine and transfer the heat through to the district heat system. 

The Glenrothes District heating scheme is currently subject to planning, and final approval of the Business Case by members in autumn 2017.

For more information on Glenrothes Heat please go to https://www.investinfife.co.uk/content/glenrothes-heat/