Lunch time meeting - Our speaker this week will be Mark Picton from RWE Biomass plant

On Thursday 9^th January 2020 President Ewen Macdonald welcomed 21 Club Rotarians and guest speaker Dr Mark Picton to this our first lunch time meeting of the new decade, which was held at the Gilvenbank Hotel, Glenrothes. 

On reception, this week was Geoff Sampson with Walter Fletcher.

Dr Mark Picton from Newport in Wales has been Plant Manager at RWE Markinch since June 2017.RWE operates Markinch CHP biomass plant. The combined heat and power plant have an installed capacity of 55 MW which is the biggest plant of its type in the UK. The plant had originally generated power to Tullis Russell Papermakers since February 2014. However, following the paper plants closure, the station has operated in ‘power only mode’ at full capacity to the local network.

The Biomass materials come from sustainable forests with the new biomass plant fuelled by 450,000 tonnes per annum of biomass fuel. Approximately 90% is recovered wood waste and the remainder is virgin wood sourced from sustainably managed forests, resulting in a reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 250,000 tons per year. Mark spoke about the future and the Glenrothes Energy Network which is a £24 million collaborative local heat scheme between Fife Council, RWE and the Scottish Government. It will provide sustainable low carbon heat to a mix of industrial, commercial, community and domestic properties in Glenrothes as well as the Fife House complex. There will be an opportunity to expand the network to supply further homes across Glenrothes.

RWE will own the Energy Centre and provide the heat required for the network from its biomass plant; Fife Council will own the network and act as service provider and Scottish Government is supporting the development through its Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (match funded by the European Regional Development Fund). The project will be operational by the end of January 2019.RWE are proud to be a part of this project as it is the first district heating scheme that they have been involved with in the UK. This project is important in providing low carbon heat to support national environmental ambitions. The success of this project is down to ongoing collaboration, energy and commitment from across all of the teams and businesses involved. District heating schemes are key to providing local communities and businesses with access to cheaper heat from efficient local sources, thereby cutting CO2 emissions.

On providing energy within the UK the energy trilemma is taken into consideration that is, is it environmentally friendly, is it cheap and affordable, and is it secure?

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Ron Page.

The annual Swimarathon fundraiser will take place on 1st March 2020 if you are interested in entering a team please contact us by PM on Facebook.

The main Rotary fundraiser being the Sportsman’s dinner takes place at the Gilvenbank Hotel on Friday 3^rd April 2020 Tickets costing £30 with our speakers being Ex referee Stuart Dougal, Comedian Connor Burns and Compere Willie Allan MBE.

This coming week’s meeting on Thursday 16th January 2020 will be a lunch time meeting to be held at the Gilvenbank Hotel. please meet at 12.45pm for a 12.55pm start. This week our speaker is Andrea Cail, Director of Stroke Association.

The Rotarians and friends enjoyed their annual visit to Carnegie Halls for the RSNO Viennese concert last Friday evening. With great service by Fabio and his staff and a lovely meal at Gratzi in Dunfermline prior to the concert.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome