Plans for a biomass plant in Dundee have been boosted after a report was published claiming the new development would have a "negligible" impact on air pollution.

According to the Scotsman, Forth Energy was forced to scrap similar plans for a "green energy" plant at Leith Docks, Edinburgh after protests against the proposals. With the publication of the new report, however, the firm looks like it will be able to push ahead with the £325m biomass plant at Dundee's King George V Wharf.

The decision comes after an air quality assessment report concluded the proposed development would "not lead to any significant residual effect with respect to air quality". Therefore, on air quality grounds, there was no reason to prevent planning consent being granted.

Scottish Government Ministers are expected to make a final decision on the development in the summer.


The study was initially ordered in 2011 and Dundee City Council asked that particular attention be given to the potential impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from the plant as well as its associated operational road traffic movements.

Basing its findings on the air quality at 25 locations in the city over the period of a year, the report concluded there was likely to be an increase in NO2 levels at one location. However, the increase would be "negligible" and have no impact on public health.

The report added: "Where the plant is forecast to lead to an exceedence at this one location, the increase is defined as negligible (i.e. less than one per cent of the air quality objective and of no concern in air quality or health terms).

"The renewable energy plant contributes only a very small additional amount, which is not considered to have any potential health impacts."

Calum Wilson, Managing Director of Forth Energy, welcomed the findings.

He said: "Forth Energy has carried out extensive and robust air quality monitoring at 25 locations across Dundee over a twelve month period. The results of the monitoring show that the impact from the plant and associated traffic on Dundee’s air quality would be negligible.

"We are satisfied that there is no reason, on air quality grounds, to prevent consent for the plant being granted. The plant would support the establishment of a renewables manufacturing hub at the port."

Forth Energy added the plant will save 2.8m tonnes of carbon emissions and create 70 long-term jobs.

(JP/CD)