Fife Council is to hold a public consultation event and exhibition today to provide information about its plans to construct a District Heating Scheme in the centre of Glenrothes.

A planning application has already been submitted for the £17.1 million construction of the Glenrothes Next Generation District Heating Scheme (Glenrothes Heat), a heat distribution network utilising the output from the RWE-run biomass plant at Markinch, with hopes it could be up and running by the end of the decade.

Members of the public are being given the chance to see and comment on the ambitious project at a consultation event at Auchmuty Learning Centre, Alexander Road, Glenrothes from 9.30am - 7pm.

The proposed heating scheme is designed to heat businesses, public facilities and offices and up to 372 homes in the town centre catchment area once fully operational.

As well as supporting business growth and reducing fuel poverty, the scheme will contribute to Scotland’s long term climate change targets and move to low carbon energy sources. And with the support of the Scottish Government and applications for substantial funding currently being processed, the aim is to commission the project by September 2018 and make the first connections as early as January 2019.

Around £8.5m is expected to be secured from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Programme Fund, while £7m has also been committed by RWE Markinch Ltd who is partnering Fife Council on the project.

Once operational, Glenrothes Heat will mean a 10% reduction in existing heating costs, and reduce environmental taxes for businesses and other public sector users.

The project will also help guarantee the future of the RWE’s CHP Biomass plant at Markinch, which has been looking to fulfil its supply potential since the demise of Tullis Russell paper plant in 2015.

Barbara Whiting, lead officer for renewables, said: “Glenrothes Heat could contribute significantly to our climate change targets and could potentially reduce fuel poverty in Glenrothes households and provide cost savings for businesses.”