Scotland large-scale biomass plans proceed

Aug. 18, 2010, London, UK — UK-based Forth Energy's plans to build four large-scale
dedicated biomass power plants in Scotland moved ahead this week after the firm
lodged a planning application with the Scottish government for a 100-MW plant
in Dundee. Forth Energy's plans to construct four 100-MW plants, in Edinburgh,
Dundee, Rosyth, and Grangemouth, are part of a strategic joint venture between
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Forth Ports. The Dundee plant is the
first of the four to submit a planning application, following consultation with
the local community. Each plant is expected to cost around £360 million (US
$565 million) and will power up to 160,000 homes.

Forth
Energy was formed in 2008, with SSE already operating an 80-MW dedicated
biomass plant at Slough in Berkshire, England.

The
company decided to build the dedicated biomass plants at deepwater ports. This
should enable the wood, which will make up about 90% of the fuel needed, to be
easily sourced and shipped from sustainably managed forests in the UK and
overseas.

The
company submitted a scoping study to support planning applications at the four
ports in Scotland to the Scottish government at the end of 2009. Forth Ports
says that the four plants could double the throughput of dry cargo at its ports
in Scotland. The number of ship movements associated with servicing the
offshore renewable energy market over 10 years, beginning in 2012, could be the
biggest opportunity for Forth Ports' Scottish ports since the development of
North Sea oil and gas, the company says.

Following
consultation on the proposed Edinburgh, Rosyth, and Grangemouth plants, Forth
Energy is set to apply to the Scottish government for planning approval this
year. If approved, all four plants are expected to be operational by 2013–2014.