SCOTLAND'S Energy Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, has officially opened Glenrothes' new district heating network, which is fuelled by the wood store at the Jamphlars in Cardenden .

Supported by £8.559 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the £24 million collaborative project between Fife Council and RWE has been delivered on time and on budget.

The new network, constructed in central Glenrothes, provides low carbon heating to Fife House complex, Rothes Halls and the sheltered housing complex at Jubilee Grove by using the steam from the RWE biomass CHP plant at Markinch.

This is fuelled through the transportation of wood from the Jamphlars site to the facility.

Paul Wheelhouse, said: “I am delighted to officially open the Glenrothes Energy Network. This ambitious project, which has received £8.6 million support from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, is already providing reliable low carbon heat to a number of buildings and has potential for expansion in the future.

“I would like to congratulate both Fife Council and RWE on the way in which they have worked in partnership and their success in constructing the new energy centre and network within the town centre which will make a valuable contribution towards reducing carbon emissions and our renewable heat targets.”