Go ahead for Scottish plant

A £70m waste-to-energy facility, which will have capacity to process all West Lothian’s commercial, industrial and municipal waste, has been given planning consent by West Lothian council.

The anaerobic waste digestion (AD) facility is planned by Banks Developments and Scotwaste, on a site near Bathgate.

The plant will be capable of handling around 105,000 tonnes of waste every year. At full capacity the plant will provide enough electricity to power over 7,000 homes and enough heat to serve the equivalent of over 9,000 homes.

Colin Anderson of Banks, said: “This decision is a landmark in the drive to deliver Scotland’s Zero Waste Strategy. Pond Green Energy Park provides West Lothian and the wider Central Belt with a local solution to its own waste, as well as delivering renewable energy to fuel businesses and homes, thereby supporting economic growth. We hope to commence construction during 2011, with the facility coming on line in 2012.”