A new town centre district heating network is to be built in Glenrothes, Fife.

The council's Policy and Co-ordination Committee has given the green-light for the collaborative local heat scheme to be developed and work on network, as well as the Energy Centre, is scheduled to start this spring.

Up to £24 million is being invested in the Glenrothes Energy Network, which is being delivered via a partnership between Fife Council, RWE and the Scottish Government. It will provide sustainable low carbon heat to a mix of industrial, commercial, community and domestic properties in Glenrothes as well as the Fife House complex.

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The scheme is scheduled to be operational by the end of January 2019.

Fife Council's Co-Leader, David Ross, said: "Today's decision sees Fife once again leading the way in tackling climate change. Bringing a district heating scheme to Glenrothes will help us reach our goal of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020."

Co-Leader Cllr David Alexander added: "This is a major investment of nearly £24 million for Glenrothes town centre. It will not only provide clean sustainable energy but will help to secure jobs and reduce fuel poverty in Glenrothes."

Mark Picton, Markinch Site Manager said: "We are extremely pleased with the Committee's decision today. We believe that the Glenrothes Energy Network delivers low carbon heat efficiently and cost-effectively. The scheme has the ability to grow and develop over the next 40 years: enabling thousands of homes and businesses to access the available heat from the power plant.

"We believe that this project is important environmentally and it could continue the very important work that Scotland has already done on de-carbonising its economy."

(LM)