Potential energy from waste that cannot be reused or recycled has been quantified in a new report published by the Scottish Government that highlights opportunities from the use of various waste to energy technologies.
The report shows that 'heat only' plants could meet six per cent of Scotlands existing heat needs; electricity production in energy from waste facilities could meet eight per cent of Scotland's existing electricity demand; and combined heat and power (CHP) waste treatment plants could meet three per cent of Scotlands total heat and electricity demand.
"Our Zero Waste Plan outlines how we can all prevent waste, increase recycling and reuse valuable resources," said Energy Minister Jim Mather. "Yet energy from waste has a part to play in a low carbon society where all efforts have been made to reduce, re-use and recycle valuable resources that would otherwise be buried in landfill.
"This useful report highlights the potentially significant contribution of waste to our heat and electricity needs. Electricity only generation is, however, generally wasteful due to the loss of heat to the atmosphere so care must be taken to ensure we get the maximum energy output from waste by utilising heat wherever possible."
Professor Jan Bebbington, Vice Chair of Sustainable Development Commission Scotland, which compiled the report, said: "Strong performance in waste minimisation and recycling can go hand in hand with the use of energy from waste as part of an integrated strategy. This SDC Scotland report shows what the potential is and helps the Scottish Governments Zero Waste aspiration move forward. We believe the potential for energy from waste can be developed as part of creating low carbon communities across Scotland.
And Councillor Alison Hay, COSLA's Regeneration and Sustainable Development Spokesperson said: "The report's identification of the various heat and/or electricity generation scenarios is welcomed. We see energy from waste include direct combustion as well as the creation and use of biogas. In either case the efficient use of heat and/or electricity locally will be important. However, the exact choice of energy from waste plant should be arrived at locally, where an analysis shows that such an approach achieves the smallest carbon emissions."
The 'Energy from Waste Potential in Scotland' report is available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/04/29125800/0.
