Electricity and steam from biomass 

In the Scottish county of Fife, RWE operates Markinch CHP biomass plant. The combined heat and power plant has an installed capacity of 55 MW. It is the biggest plant of its type in the UK. The plant had been generating power to Tullis Russell Papermakers and the local network since February 2014. However, following the paper plants closure, the station has operated in ‘power only mode’ at full capacity.

Biomass from sustainable forests 

The new biomass plant is fuelled by 450,000 tonnes per annum of biomass fuel. Approximately 90% is recovered wood waste and the remainder is virgin wood sourced from sustainably managed forests ,resulting in a reduction in CO₂ emissions of approximately 250,000 tons per year.

RWE in partnership with the Scottish Government and Fife Council have developed Glenrothes Energy Network, which officially opened in March 2019.  RWE’s Markinch Biomass CHP Power Station supplies 100% renewable heat to the district heating scheme - Glenrothes Energy Network through an constructed Energy Centre.

Using heat from RWE’s Markinch Biomass CHP Plant, the network supplies low carbon heat to businesses and houses within Glenrothes town centre, lowering energy bills and helping to prevent fuel poverty and climate change.

In November 2019 the project was awarded the Cities and Communities award and the Decentralised Energy Awards (more info here).