Planning applications by Estover Energy have been submitted for two biomass CHP power plants in Scotland and one in England this September.

Estover Energy submitted the applications to Moray, Aberdeen City and Northumberland County Council earlier this month and claims the plants would create up to 120 jobs split between positions at the plants and within the local forestry and transport sectors.

‘The combined electrical capacity of up to 65MW, creating 120 jobs and supporting around 650 jobs at three large industrial businesses would represent a significant boost to each local economy,' said Estover director Max Aitken.

It is believed each plant will use clean low grade wood from local forestry operations to produce electricity and heat in the form of steam. A consortium of forestry owners will supply sustainable feedstock by using low grade wood unsuitable for sawmills and timber production.

The plant in Moray would supply the Macallan distillery and have an electrical capacity of up to 15MW. The plant capacity in both Aberdeen and Northumberland would be up to 25MW, potentially supplying heat and electricity to the Arjowiggins Stoneywood Paper Mill and Aesica Pharmaceuticals respectively.