Renewable-energy firm Helius Energy yesterday moved a step closer to establishing a £50million biomass processing plant in Moray.
Helius said it had formally formed a joint-venture with the Combination of Rothes Distillers (CoRD), a group created in 1904 to process pot ale – the sludge left at the bottom of whisky stills – from distilleries in the Rothes area.
New firm Helius CoRDe will build, finance and operate the green-energy scheme at Rothes Distillery.
The project is expected to generate 7.2 megawatts of electricity, enough for about 9,000 homes, and turn pot ale into a concentrated organic fertiliser and an animal feed for use by local farmers.
It is thought the new plant will be the first to combine distillery by-products with wood chips to generate electricity.
The initiative won a top honour at the Scottish Green Energy Awards at the end of last year and Moray councilors approved the development in January.
It is anticipated that engineering procurement and building contracts will be awarded shortly, allowing work on the new plant to start early next year.
The construction phase is expected to take about two years, creating work for up to 100 people.
Helius managing director John Seed said: “I’m delighted to be moving forward with a truly innovative project.
“Biomass will play a major role in meeting the UK’s targets for emissions reductions and this is a model that has the potential to be rolled out elsewhere.”
CoRD general manager Frank Burns said: “This agreement formalises the work we have undertaken so far and sets out the structure for us to take this project forward to completion.
“The ability to generate renewable heat and power and secure additional markets for our distillery co-products is a very exciting development for the malt whisky industry on Speyside.”
Mr Seed added: “Drinking green whisky may give you a warm glow but it’ll also help to avoid warming the planet.”
Helius has a 51% stake in the new joint venture, with the CoRD – representing the Benriach Distillery Company, Chivas Brothers, Diageo, Edrington Group, Glen Grant Distillery and Inver House Distillers – owning the remaining 49%.
Grimsby-based Helius also has plans for a biomass plant at Avonmouth in south-west England.
In May, the firm said it would announce a third large site for a new renewable-energy project before the end of the year.