Balfour Beatty has started work to build the £24 million Glenrothes Energy Network in Fife.

A new state-of-the-art Energy Centre is being developed at RWE's Markinch CHP biomass plant, which will provide the heat required for the network.

Specialist contractor Vital Energi were awarded the contract for the design and development of the Energy Centre and over the past few weeks, the developer has established site accomodation and started the civil engineering works. A full works programme will begin at the end of June, starting with the building of the external structure.

Once finished, the £24m Network 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. There will be an opportunity to expand the network to supply further homes across Glenrothes.

Stephen Scott, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty's Central Scotland Delivery Unit, said: "We are delighted to join together with RWE, Fife Council and Vital Energi today to celebrate the commencement of construction to the new Energy Centre in Fife.

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"Together with our partners, we will help deliver the vast network needed to supply low carbon heat to a range of businesses, public premises and homes in Glenrothes which on completion, will help reduce carbon emissions and ultimately tackle climate change."

Cllr Ross Vettraino, the council's environment spokesperson, said: "I'm delighted to see construction work starting on Glenrothes Energy Network. This project has been in the planning stages for a number of years and is an exemplar of partnership working and what it can achieve.

"Fife is 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.

"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."

Vital Energi Regional Director, Mike Cooke, added: "Vital Energi are delighted to have been appointed as RWE's design and construction partner on this unique district energy project which will utilise renewable heat to serve the community of Glenrothes. The design and construction of the energy centre will be the quickest of its kind with heat on during the autumn having commenced construction in April.

"Close liaison with heat customers during system connections will see existing gas connections displaced by renewable heat generating improvements to air quality and a reduction in carbon emissions."

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

(LM)