Being brought forward by sustainable energy developers Sainc Energy Limited, the 19.8 MWe plant will generate enough waste heat to provide heating for up to 30,000 homes.

Atmos operations director, Jean Curran, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sainc Energy and their partners on this project. Biomass is an important source of renewable energy using material derived from living, or recently living organisms such as wood, plants and animal waste to generate electricity. In Q4 2015, electricity generation from biomass provided 7 per cent of the UK’s overall renewable energy production.”

The Glenrothes project will predominantly use waste from wood chips. The remaining feedstock will be sourced from construction, demolition and civic amenities sites as well as packaging, further reducing the plant’s overall carbon footprint.

Kamaljit Sood, energy project manager at Sainc Energy Limited, added: “This low carbon development is important as an addition to the Scottish and UK economy and will make a positive contribution towards the UK’s 2020 renewable energy targets. We are working collaboratively with key stakeholders to ensure that the project meets and exceeds our client’s expectations.”

The project will support in the region of 120 jobs during its construction phase. Longer term, it will support a further 120 supply chain jobs during its operational phase. The project will be run by a team of six dedicated full time professionals supported by specialists on a contract basis. It is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted in around four months’ time.