The biomass project, created by Albyn housing Society, provides heating systems for one hundred new Albyn homes.  The systems are fuelled by wood chips from local, sustainable forests. 

Albyn Housing Society representatives took the Minister on a tour of the biomass plant. 

Donald Lockhart, Development Director at Albyn said: “The biomass plant is an essential part of our Aviemore building programme and will help reduce fuel poverty in the area.   With the wealth of forestry industry experience in and around Aviemore area it makes sense to utilise a sustainable woodchip system.

He added:  “Working on a project of this scale and employing new methods of biomass technology did present its own challenges.  We enjoyed talking to the Minister about how we can develop this technology, fine tune the funding process and raise the profile of biomass heating systems throughout the industry.”

Jim Mather commented:  “This is exactly the type of project I want to encourage in communities across Scotland –  innovative renewable energy generation which tackles climate change and promotes sustainable forest management. Biomass can play an important part in the renewables mix, creating good quality rural jobs and promoting sustainable local solutions to global challenges.”

The Aviemore biomass plant is based at the Dalfaber Industrial Estate and is managed on Albyn’s behalf by Caledon Buccleuch BioEnergy.  The five year project, incorporating the biomass plant and new homes, was completed in December 2008.  Its successfulness contributed to Albyn receiving Building Research Establishment (BRE) Eco Homes accreditation.