News archive - Week ending 28th September 2007

Landfill Energy Scheme

Methane gas collected from a landfill site at Nether Dallachy in Spey Bay is to be used to generate electricity for homes in Moray. The gas will be pumped to generators connected to the National Grid and provide power for about 1,600 homes for at least the next 20 years.

It is estimated that the scheme, which could be in operation as early as April 2008, will reduce the Council?s footprint by about 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The project is a partnership between Moray Council, the Crown Estate in Scotland, which owns the site, and the contractors Renewable Power Systems.

Tidal Energy Project Unveiled

Ministers have approved the biggest wave energy project in the world, capable of generating electricity for around 2,000 homes. The project, owned by ScottishPower and operated from the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, will consist of four 750 Kilowatt Pelamis wave energy converters.

In Orkney, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This project is another step towards fulfilling Scotland's huge renewable energy potential. Our natural resources mean we can be a world leader in new wave and tidal energy technologies. The Scottish Government will support these new technologies, wherever possible, increasing sustainable economic growth and helping tackle climate change. The revolutionary work of the European Marine Energy Centre is a perfect example of how we can deliver the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy for generations to come."

SMEs Lack resources to Tackle Climate Change

A survey by accountants KPMG shows that the majority of small and medium-sized firms in Scotland think they should be tackling climate change but almost half say that they do not have the resources to make a good job of it. Ninety percent of respondents said all businesses had a responsibility to take climate change seriously and almost 60% thought they could make some difference. A clear majority of SMEs had adopted measures such as recycling or trying to reduce energy costs.

However, 43% complained they did not have the money or time to do all that they could, and 80% thought it was up to political leaders to take the greatest responsibility for driving efforts to tackle climate change. More than half would prefer action through the tax system rather than carbon trading mechanisms, which are perceived to be complex.

Paula Murphy, of KPMG's risk and sustainability advisory services, said too many firms believed that they should be making grand gestures, when there were many simple measures that can make a real difference. For example, investing in energy efficiency could simultaneously reduce costs and exposure to future regulatory risk.

Environmentally Friendly Ice Cream
Family-run Mackie's of Scotland has vowed to become the most environmentally-friendly ice-cream firm in the country. It ended its reliance on the national grid this summer by commissioning of a third wind turbine at Westertown of Rothienorman.
This investment made production at the rural complex a totally renewable-energy operation. The farm business is already planning to set up a bio-gas plant that would transform animal waste into energy, while the three turbines now operating will also enable Mackie's to sell enough excess power to meet the needs of 1,000 homes on the national grid.

The directors were rewarded for their green efforts at the Financial Times Environmental Awards ceremony in London where they won Best Environmental Improvement for a small business for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mackie's is also one of four UK companies shortlisted for the Morrison?s Award for Outstanding Small Business at the IGD Food Industry Awards. The annual award recognises the contribution of small businesses to the food industry and goes to firms demonstrating excellence in innovation or local sourcing, marketing or staff development.