A housing association has said it is now inviting bids for a £35m biomass station in Fife.

The project, proposed by Ore Valley Housing Association, would see a combined heat and power station built in the area, the Construction Index has reported.

An estimated value of the contract, issued through subsidiary Cardenden Heat & Power, is said to be between £25m and £35m, and is for the development of a district heating network that will supply renewable heat to domestic and non-domestic properties in the area of Cardenden. It would also generate renewable power to the national grid. Biomass fuel would be used for the plant and would come from recycled waste wood and sustainably grown crops, it has been said.


The primary technology comprises a waste wood combustion system, heat recovery and flue gas treatment plant, supplying steam to an extraction steam turbine that will generate heat and around 5MW of electrical power. It would be supplemented by a thermal store and natural gas boilers located within the energy centre.

Ore Valley Housing Association is seeking competitive tenders to obtain a binding firm and fixed offer for the design, engineering, procurement, construction, testing and completion of the biomass heat and power plant, as well as the associated infrastructure. This includes an extensive district heating network. It has been reported that the contract will also comprise an operation and maintenance contract.