The largest biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant in the UK has officially been opened in Scotland.

RWE Innogy’s Markinch Biomass CHP Plant in Glenrothes Fife replaces the coal and gas fired CHP power station on the site of paper and board manufacturer Tullis Russel.

The new facility has an installed capacity of up to 65MW and is already providing all of the manufacturer’s electricity and steam requirements, with excess electricity generation being fed into local networks.

It is fuelled by around 90% recovered wood waste and 10% virgin wood sourced from sustainably managed forests, according to RWE.

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “This is the largest of its kind in the UK and is not only an asset to Scotland but will also help us deliver our target of 11% of non-electrical heat demand by renewable sources by 2020.”

The project is also expected to cut 250,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.