Construction officially started on Scotland's £25 million ($38.6 million) green energy center in Guardbridge, on the country's east coast, the Scottish government announced Monday.
A state-of-the-art biomass facility, using only wood from sustainable local sources, will help to save around 500,000 tonnes of carbon in the next 20 years alone, the press release said.
St. Andrews University will avail of the new green energy center as a key part of the university’s target of becoming the U.K.’s first carbon-neutral university for energy.
The green energy center will pump hot water from the plant four miles underground to heat and cool laboratories and student residences in St Andrews, the press release said.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney visited the facility. “I am delighted to be in Guardbridge today as work begins on this innovative and ambitious project,' he said.
Swinney praised the projects for the potential to deliver significant carbon savings, as well as financial savings to the university.
“The Scottish Government is using all the levers at its disposal, including through European Funding initiatives, to help regenerate areas and maximize employment opportunities that help achieve sustainable economic growth,” he added.
The £25 million cost of the scheme is backed by a £10 million ($15 million) grant from the Scottish Funding Council which is supporting carbon reduction schemes across Scottish Higher Education.
By Zeynep Beyza Karabay
Anadolu Agency
zeynep.karabay@aa.com.tr