News & Pictures

15/09/2009
Biomass power plant planned for Boyndie
Puffin Pellets have joined forces with their sister company, Harpers, to reveal proposals for an £8million biomass heat and power plant at the Puffin Energy factory site at Boyndie, Banff.
The development will create up to eight jobs in the plant itself and a further 16 or 17 in the wider fuel supply chain.
It will generate enough electricity to the national grid to power 2,500 houses and contribute to the carbon-neutral renewable energy production in the area.
The proposed plant will be fuelled by recycled wood chips from local sources, and has been designed with EU and Scottish Government targets for reductions in carbon emissions in mind.
Wood chips from Harpers will be used as fuel for the plant and some of the heat and power produced will be used to help Puffin Pellets reduce their power consumption.
The plant potentially could supply heat to other nearby businesses, including Grampian Oats, to reduce their fossil fuel heating. Submissions with the planning application say the development would have an insignificant environmental effect in the area. The former airfield, used during World War II, is isolated and the nearest houses are some distance from the proposed plant.
The plans will be advertised for public comment which must be made to Aberdeenshire Council before October 5.
Construction work on the plant could get under way next year and it would be expected be ready for business in 2011. Read more...
30/05/2009
Minister officially opens Puffin Pellets
Over 100 people turned out yesterday as the Scottish Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson officially opened the Puffin Pellets factory at Boyndie, Banff.
Industry providers such as Grampian Heat and Power, the Forestry Commission and AD Heating were on hand to answer all the visitors’ questions on biomass and hand out information on their products and services. The day began with a meeting between Stewart Stevenson and the directors of the facility, Thomas Tait OBE and Bryan Harper to discuss the Puffin Pellets project while visitors got an opportunity to get a guided tour of the plant, browse the trade stands and sample some of the excellent refreshments and nibbles as provided by Fife Lodge Hotel.
Mr Stevenson then received a tour of the factory himself and then joined Bryan and Thomas on stage to speak to the crowd before unveiling the Puffin pellets commemorative plaque. Read More...

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