Skye Earmarked for Energy from Waste Scheme

Skye and Lochalsh is set to host the Highland’s first energy from waste scheme, linked to a local heating system for 200 – 300 homes.

A long term solution for waste disposal is required following the closure of the Portree landfill site in March of this year.  Waste is now transferred to landfill in the south of Scotland.

The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee agreed today (Thursday) to identify potential development sites and negotiate with potential end-users for heat produced and prepare tenders for the supply of small scale EFW plant.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the TEC Services Committee, said he strongly supported the construction of an Energy from Waste scheme.  It was the most environmentally friendly scheme for residual waste treatment in Skye and Lochalsh.

He said:  “The preliminary work to date shows significant environmental benefit from such a scheme being put in place.  However further work must be carried out to establish the suitability of sites, and importantly the costs of the scheme together with the potential benefits in terms of heat generation for local residents.

“The project is in keeping with the ideas of extracting value from waste and of treating waste as close to the point of arising as possible.”

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