Controversial plans to build a biomass generator at Dundee docks could be held up for months while a programme of air quality monitoring takes place.
The Scottish Government has said it has suspended its consideration of the proposal until the monitoring is completed a process that could take months.
Forth Energy, a collaboration between Forth Ports and Scottish and Southern Energy, want to construct biomass plants at Dundee, Rosyth, Leith and Grangemouth. Each plant would burn around 1.3 million tonnes of biomass a year, providing electricity for 160,000 homes as well as heat for some city centre properties.
However, the biomass scheme has been dogged by controversy since Forth Energy first put their plans forward. Dundee residents have raised concerns about the possible impact of the plant on the environment and cityscape.
Environmental watchdog SEPA has also said nitrogen dioxide levels in the area, which are already above the legal limit, must be brought under control.
Opposition to the proposal remains fierce and last month demonstrators from Action Against Agrofuels blocked access to Grangemouth Docks in protest. Seven people, including Dundee University student Kimberley Ellis were arrested and are due to appear at Falkirk Sheriff Court this week.
Because of the size of the developments and the amount of power each plant will generate, it is the Scottish Government rather than local councils that will decide if they are given the go-ahead.
The biomass plant at King George V Wharf would burn mainly chipped wood shipped in from overseas and subject it to a combustion process to produce heat and electricity. It would create carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through a thin 100-metre stack.
Calum Wilson, managing director of Forth Energy, has said the plant would help Dundee become a renewable energy hub, while also contributing massively to the local economy.
Forth Energy say the proposed plant represents a capital investment of £325 million and would have a gross value to the local economy of £26.4 million a year.
The plant would employ an average of 300 people, peaking at 500 over 36 months, and would support around 70 operational jobs thereafter.
However, it will be months before the Scottish Government decide whether to grant permission to build the plant.
Mr Wilson said, “We are working with Dundee City Council’s environmental health officers to agree a programme of air quality monitoring.
“This monitoring process will be thorough and it will be several months before we see the outputs. Following this, a full report will be submitted to the council.”
The Scottish Government has said, “Forth Energy are carrying out air quality testing so consideration of the application has been suspended.”