The Aberdeen firm proposes to develop a low carbon energy park within the Kirkwood Commercial Park in Port Elphinstone with the development of the ERF the main catalyst for the project.

Similar proposals were consulted on in 2012 as part of the wider regeneration proposals for the Inverurie Paper Mill site.

The ERF will also provide low carbon heat and electricity, allowing local businesses the opportunity to showcase the very best use of these sustainable resources right here in the North East.

The facility will receive around 200,000 tonnes of pre-treated residual, non-hazardous waste, otherwise destined for landfill. Agile Energy will use proven energy-from-waste technology, which will thermally treat the waste to generate electricity and heat.

The ERF will accept predominantly business and commercial waste and will export circa 20MW of electricity (enough to power approximately 62,000 homes) and has the potential to supply circa 80MW of heat (enough to heat at least 32,000 local homes and businesses) through a district heat network and distribution of heat batteries.

Crucially, Agile Energy plans to deliver the heat to a community-owned energy company which will, in turn, be empowered to deliver the heat to consumers at a price which will be competitive with natural gas.

With the PoAN now submitted to Aberdeenshire Council, public exhibitions are due to be held in December allowing interested parties the opportunity to find out more about what is proposed and importantly provide feedback and comment.

Alf Robertson, managing director of Agile Energy, said: “As the first phase of our vision to develop a world-leading, low carbon energy park, the Energy Recovery Facility is a vital component and the main catalyst for achieving this.

“By utilising proven, energy from waste technology, we can create new business and employment opportunities in the North East, whilst playing an important and strategic role in helping to address the Scottish Government’s forthcoming ban on the landfilling of biodegradable waste.”

Agile Energy has a committed ambition to turn the Inverurie Energy Park into a world-leading hub for low-carbon energy generation and business operations showcasing the very best use of sustainable technologies and environmentally friendly business operations.

The project has an ambition that includes leveraging the power plant to create new business opportunities and employment including district heating, hydrogen production and distribution, advanced horticulture and aquaculture, and carbon capture and utilisation.

Mr Robertson added: “As a combined heat and power plant, this facility will be able to provide local businesses with electricity cheaper than they would otherwise get from the National Grid. When combined with advantageous heat pricing, this ensures that Inverurie and the North East of Scotland remain competitive against other locations for further investment and job creation.

“Over the coming months, the development team and I look forward to presenting our proposals to the local community, answering questions and importantly gaining local feedback.”

With the first round of public consultation events due to take place in December, the second round will take place in early 2020, with Agile Energy proposing to submit a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council in the first quarter of 2020.