THE new cabinet secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, visited Glenrothes Energy Network, which is to be fuelled by the RWE base, at the Jamphlars in Cardenden.

The RWE base will be a key part of the fuelling of the system.

The Minister took time out of his busy schedule to tour the energy centre under construction and meet the team involved with the project.

Michael Matheson said: “District heating plays an important role in the transition to an affordable, low carbon heat system for Scotland. "Glenrothes Energy Network demonstrates a strong partnership approach in delivering this and it was great to see first-hand how this district heating scheme will help tackle fuel poverty locally.”

Glenrothes Energy Network is a £24 million collaborative local heat scheme between the Scottish Government, RWE and Fife Council. It will provide sustainable low carbon heat to a mix of industrial, commercial, community and domestic properties in Glenrothes as well as the Fife House complex. There will be an opportunity to expand the network to supply further homes across Glenrothes.

RWE will own the Energy Centre and provide the heat required for the network from its biomass plant, which is fuelled by wood stored in Cardenden.

Fife Council will own the network and act as service provider and the Scottish Government is supporting the development through its Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (match funded by the European Regional Development Fund). The project will be operational by the end of January 2019.

Steve Hicks, RWE Project Director, commented: “We are proud to be part of this project and supply local businesses and homes with low carbon heat. Our contractors are developing the Energy Centre adjacent to Markinch CHP biomass plant and construction is well underway.”

Cllr Ross Vettraino, Fife Council’s spokesperson for the environment said: “This was a great opportunity to meet Mr Matheson and share with him the innovative work happening in Fife through partnership working.

“Bringing a district heating scheme to Glenrothes will help us reach our goal of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020.”

“This is a major investment of nearly £24 million for Glenrothes town centre. It will not only provide clean sustainable energy but will help to secure jobs and reduce fuel poverty in Glenrothes.”

Work is progressing well at a number of sites in the centre of Glenrothes including the energy centre, where the steel frame has now gone up.

The RWE base in Cardenden stores a vast amount of wood which is transported to Markinch by lorry.

Cardenden Community Council has been involved in discussions with RWE regarding dust issues regarding the Jamphlars site and a liaison committee has been helping with any problems residents come across.