Guardbridge geothermal technology demonstrator project: feasibility report

12. Stake Holder Management

The University of St Andrews has been in discussion with the Guardbridge community for the last 3 years over all developments at the site. It has developed a full community engagement programme through 2015/16 relating to its Biomass Energy Centre construction project. Communications and engagement meetings have been held on Community Council meeting nights at Balmullo and Guardbridge, with additional drop in meetings at St Andrews and Guardbridge. Separate councillor briefings have also been held. Discussions have involved Councillor Tim Brett and a new forum involving the community and the University is being developed to manage and improve the flow of information between all parties. As a part of ongoing discussion, the community have been made aware of the Geothermal Energy Feasibility Study and its remit. Given the timing of the study and that final conclusions were drawn in January 2016, no specific presentation has been made to the Guardbridge community in regards the final recommendations of the feasibility study. This can now go ahead with the conclusion of the study and submission of the report to the Scottish Government, and the University is in contact with Cllr Brett and the Community Council of Guardbridge to organise a presentation.

The viability of extending the geothermal district heating infrastructure beyond the borders of the Guardbridge industrial site appears to be uneconomic at this time, and so the decision was made to confine community discussions for the geothermal project to heat users in the Guardbridge site. The university and Eden Brewery are both supportive of the potential for renewable heat energy from this project.