According to ScottishPower, energy crops provide carbon neutral fuel as the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is released when the crop is burned is equal to the CO2 that is captured as the plant is grown. ScottishPower already burns carbon neutral biomass such as wood at the two coal-fired power stations as part of its renewable program.
The utility said that the project will use about 12% of Scotland’s total agricultural land, roughly 35,000 hectares, and that 5% of the company’s coal requirement will be displaced by energy crops by 2013. The energy crops will be a mix of crop types, including cereal crops and short rotational crop such as willow coppice.
Frank Mitchell, ScottishPower’s generation director, said: This is a significant step in our renewable energy program, ultimately displacing 300,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. However, it is also an excellent opportunity for farmers with ScottishPower offering support for the Scottish agricultural community.
