Carbon on rocks

Jan 22 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A MIDDLESBROUGH company is helping reduce the carbon footprint of the Scottish whisky industry while boosting agricultural production in a £35m renewable energy project.

The project, a joint development by Helius Energy plc and the Speyside whisky industry, will install a wood- burning combination heat and power (CHP) plant near Rothes in the Scottish Highlands.

The CHP unit will use distillery co-products and wood chip from sustainable sources to generate 7.2MW of electricity, enough for 9,000 homes.

A GreenFields plant will be built beside the GreenSwitch CHP unit and will turn the liquid co-product of whisky production, known as pot ale, into a concentrated organic fertiliser for use by local farmers.

Helius Energy MD John Seed said: “We look forward to working with Combination of Rothes Distillers Ltd to realise our vision for GreenSwitch and making Rothes a showcase for innovation and environmental responsibility in the Scottish whisky industry.”