SCOTLAND’s energy minister has heralded the construction of a university’s £25 million green energy centre as a “visionary project”, which will be a significant asset to Scotland. St Andrew’s University’s state-of-the-art biomass facility, which is currently is being built on the site of the former paper mill at Guardbridge – just outside of the town – will not only help the institution meet its aim of becoming carbon neutral, but also create hundreds of local jobs in the north east of Fife, it has been claimed. It is due to be operational by the end of the year. The university has also promised the project will support apprenticeship and graduate training, creating about 225 jobs under what it has dubbed the “Guardbridge Guarentee”. The 6MW biomass centre will use only locally sourced wood fr om sustainable forests, creating green energy which will pump hot water four miles underground to St Andrews to heat and cool its labs and student residences. During a site visit to the University yesterday Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing said: “St Andrews is leading the way with a visionary plan. This is a terrifically exciting project and a major investment.
The National 14th April 2016 read more »