Work on a £35 million renewable energy project to provide cheaper heat and hot water to hundreds of homes in Cardenden could start in mid 2012, local MP Lindsay Roy heard during a visit to Ore Valley Housing Association.
A detailed planning application for the 4.5 megawatt CHAP (Cardenden Heat and Power) biomass plant is currently being considered by Fife Council.
If approved, it will reduce carbon emissions by 21,000 tonnes a year, while surplus electricity will be sold to the national grid The housing association and the local authority are the principal stakeholders in the project: Ore Valley has 350 tenants in Cardenden, while the council has 700.
Explained Ore Valley director Andrew Saunders, "It's taken longer than we had hoped to get to this stage, but it has been rather complex.
"Some environmental work has to be done with regards to the planning application and once this has been completed we hope to get a decision soon.
"If we get the green light, the aim is to get on site as early as possible next year.'' He told Mr Roy, "This is very much a social enterprise, addressing issues such as fuel poverty by providing heat and hot water at up to 10 per cent less than current market prices and any profits will go into a community chest for the benefit of Cardenden.
"It will help provide local employment and training opportunities, with spin-offs for existing local businesses." The possibility of using excess heat from the biomass plant to fuel a horticulture development is also being examined.
Added Mr Saunders, "This is very much a 'win win' for tenants, as it would reduce energy costs and provide significant benefits for the local community.'' Commented the MP, "This is an aspirational proposal, a community project which is a very good example of the Big Society, and it has my full support.
"Ore Valley Housing Association have worked very hard to get to the planning application stage and I hope that a decision can be made very soon.
"It is an exciting and visonary project and tenants will indeed be the real winners."
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