Scotland's only poultry-litter-fired biomass plant faces operational closure when government support mechanisms expire in March 2027.
Melton Renewable Energy UK Limited, operator of the Cardenden facility, has warned the UK Government that the site cannot remain in indefinite policy limbo without clear commitment to continued funding.
The plant, operational since 2000, processes poultry litter, chicken manure, straw and wood shavings to generate electricity.
It was designated by the European Union as a reference facility for alternative energy production and remains the only installation of its kind operating in Scotland.
CEO Eddie Wilkinson indicated that the company remains willing to invest in the site's long-term viability but requires government policy certainty to proceed.
The operator warned that without policy clarity, closure becomes a realistic option. He cited lack of government engagement on supportive frameworks despite sustained lobbying efforts.
The closure threat reflects broader uncertainty across the UK biomass sector following the Renewable Obligation scheme's design as a time-limited support mechanism with a defined 20–25 year lifespan.
The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero confirmed the scheme's intended end-date but did not commit to successor support, stating only that 'further updates' would be provided in due course.
The potential closure would eliminate skilled jobs, remove investment from the local economy and undermine Scotland's renewable energy and net-zero objectives.
The outcome exemplifies the policy risk facing infrastructure-scale biomass operators as legacy support mechanisms expire without confirmed replacement funding frameworks.
Cardenden biomass plant faces closure risk in March 2027
