Welcome to our online information hub for Longmorn Green Energy. We’re providing an update on our improved proposals for a renewable biomethane gas generation plant to the south of Elgin and the west of the A941.
Our plans would generate clean energy, contribute to Britain’s energy security and support local distilleries and farmers.
At a glance
We have engaged since May 2023 on our proposals and have worked hard to successfully address all statutory consultee feedback such that there are no such objections with the exception of the Council's own Development Policy Team. We continue to engage with the Development Policy Team to try and resolve its concerns. Our improved plans maintain all of the project benefits while reducing potential impacts on local people. These are outlined below:
Producing green energy and supporting energy security
Longmorn Green Energy will produce renewable biomethane and biogenic CO2 to support the transition to net zero. This is a green fuel that will support our transition to net zero and reduce our dependence on foreign gas supplies.
Our plans will generate enough renewable gas to heat around 9,500 homes (equivalent to converting almost the whole of Elgin from fossil fuels to renewable heat) and will save more than 28,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually - the same as planting more than 1 million trees or taking 15,000 cars off the road.
The use of a virtual pipeline provides flexibility as it enables compressed biomethane to also be transported by road to off-grid distilleries to be used as a direct replacement for diesel / heavy fuel oil / LPG thus further reducing GHG emissions and improving security of supply for distilleries not served directly by the gas grid. This again illustrates the direct economic and environmental benefits with Longmorn in a perfect position to supply a large number of these distilleries.
Acorn’s amended plans include the ability to directly inject biomethane into the existing national gas grid infrastructure. This will provide a direct benefit to local households by the provision of green energy.
Improving the circular economy
Acorn will be digesting whisky distillery co-products including pot ale, syrup and draff in combination with break crops. Feedstocks are then delivered to the site to a secure and managed storage facility prior to being fed into the digestion process. The resulting digestate is pasteurised.
Site Location
The plant will be close to feedstock and will have suitable access, as well as being visually well-screened. Additionally, the site is adjacent to national gas grid infrastructure and will be situated well away from residential properties. Find out more about the site location here.