The Markinch Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant being built by RWE npower renewables on the site of the Tullis Russell Paper Mill is making preparations for full operation in October.
As part of this commissioning process, the firm has stated residents and businesses may notice some steam and noise being emitted from the biomass CHP plant.
This procedure known as “steam blow” happens when high pressure steam is passed through the boiler to clean it. The noise will be controlled through the use of silencers and shielding and is not representative of normal operation.
There may be some harmless odour as paint, coatings and materials used in construction heat up and are burned off.
The steam blow will commence from Thursday to June 20, with two releases per day, each lasting up to 15 minutes. The noise created will be controlled as far as possible, according to the firm.
The majority of the commissioning activities which could impact on residents will be carried out during normal construction times on site, but extended into the evening up to 9pm where activities cannot be interrupted.
Some activities will require 24-hour running but these will be kept to a minimum. Noise monitoring will take place regularly to ensure noise levels do not cause excessive disturbance.
The plant will replace the existing coal and gas-fired CHP plant on the Tullis Russell site and will provide all Tullis Russell’s electricity and steam requirements. Excess electricity generation will be fed into the local grid.
The new biomass CHP plant will use a combination of recovered and virgin wood as its fuel and will provide Tullis Russell with an environmentally friendly source of renewable energy.
The project will deliver many benefits, according to RWE npower renewables, and will generate a reduction in fossil carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 250,000 tonnes per annum.