Proposed Bio-Mass Power Station In Leith Docks
Forth Energy are continuing with their plans to build a giant bio-mass (wood burning) power station in Leith Docks
(and three others, nearby in Rosyth, Dundee, and Grangemouth). Generating 200MW, it will be one of the biggest
in the world. The developers make it sound 'green', using the phrase 'renewable energy’ a lot in their publicity
materials. However research since this proposal first surfaced has uncovered more and more worrying facts both about
this proposed development in Leith and about biomass in general. There are significant health risks associated
with the chemical make-up of the emissions and the effect on local air quality generally (already substandard) of
emissions plus increased lorry traffic carrying recycled wood, cardboard and paper in, and ash out. (not to mention
congestion on Leith's narrow roads). There are also worries about possible noise, vibration and odour.
With a height of 65 metres, a chimney of 100 metres and a huge footprint on the ground, the proposed power station
is far too big and in the wrong place - very close to local housing and shops, close to the city, and set to ruin
Leith's plans for the waterfront and to dominate views of Edinburgh, a World Heritage Site. For a summary,
read this leaflet.
Importing timber from around the world by ship and burning trees to generate electricity is not carbon neutral or
truly renewable - it takes many decades to regrow trees, if indeed they are ever replanted - there is much
land-grabbing and illegal logging in developing countries as the demand for biomass exceeds supply. And it is
certainly not clean.
Forth Energy's plans have not yet been submitted to Scottish Government for approval but they are expected to go
in very soon (October /November 2010). Leith Links Residents Association is committed to lodging a robust objection
to the proposed development. We will need the support of all residents.
Plans for the Dundee and Grangemouth plants have already been submitted, and can be viewed here:-
www.forthenergy.co.uk/biomass.asp
Leith Links Residents Association is one of the leaders of the campaign against the biomass plant. A dedicated website:- www.noleithbiomass.org.uk
provides information and evidence, and links to a petition that we would encourage everyone to 'sign'
(and comment, if you can) .
Moratorium on Large Scale Biomass Construction in Scotland
Leith Links Residents Association is a signatory on a letter published 6 October 2010, requesting Scottish Government
to halt all decisions on individual planning proposals, until independent research into biomass has been carried out.
Read the (long and short versions) of the letter here:
Edited Version
Full Version
Bio-Mass Facebook Link
If you use Facebook, you can keep up to date with daily news posts here :-
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Leith-against-the-Biomass-Plant-Campaign/113408128693479
The Facebook site is not maintained by Leith Links Residents Association