OCTOPUS Energy is facing criticism for funding a new incinerator in Scotland.

Residents in Irvine, North Ayrshire have hit out at the energy company, which specialises in renewable energy, for funding the new Oldhall incinerator despite the environmental impact it will have on the area.

North Ayrshire Council gave planning permission for the new incinerator in 2019. It is set to burn 180,000 tonnes of waste a year from households and businesses.

However, despite the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency requiring new incinerators to export heat as well as power within seven years of starting operation, campaigners claim there are no specific plans in place to connect the incinerator with any buildings which may benefit from its excess heat.

The Oldhall incinerator is owned by Doveryard Limited, which itself is owned by funds managed by Octopus Renewables.

Local community group, Irvine Without Incinerators, is opposing the new incinerator on health and environmental grounds. They claim that locals were not properly consulted on the proposals and that the new incinerator will be "polluting". 

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Ian Wallace, a member of the group, said: "There has been limited meaningful public consultation before and after the planning application for this plant was approved. Council consultation has been the bare minimum.

“The majority of the people of Irvine and surrounding area have been denied the opportunity to ask questions about this application.

"Although Doveryard's PR consultancy has set up a local liaison committee, they have a rigorous vetting process; why are they afraid of discussion if they have nothing to hide?

"I am also concerned about the publicity circulated by the company regarding production of enough power to heat 30,000 houses.

“It gives the impression that local people will benefit from this plant, but evidence shows that no houses in mainland Scotland get heating from such plants.

“This raises the question, if we can't trust them to tell the truth about the energy they will produce, how can we trust them on anything else, such as health and safety?"

A spokesperson for Doveryard Limited previously stated that the facility will generate enough electricity to power “the equivalent of 30,000 homes”.

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Another local resident, Veronika Liebscher, said the company’s involvement made her doubt its commitment to environmental sustainability.

“I was horrified to find that the 'green' energy company, Octopus, is funding this incinerator.

“I can’t be the only customer thinking their environmental claims are not completely truthful and wondering whether to buy my power elsewhere."

Environmental groups have expressed concern about the building of new incinerators in Scotland, urging decision-makers to put more focus on re-use and recycling rather than incineration.

Waste incineration results in local air pollution and creates greenhouse gas emissions.

However, proponents of the practice claim it is better for the environment than landfill.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland, added: “Incinerators are incompatible with a sustainable future for Scotland because burning waste releases carbon emissions and reduces the amount of material available for reuse and recycling.

“Octopus Energy should not be funding an incinerator in Irvine, ignoring the concerns of local communities and supporting a technology which cannot be considered low carbon.”

Octopus Energy have been contacted for comment.