Tesco plc (Tesco) has received approval from West Lothian Council's planning committee for a combined heat and power (CHP) biomass plant at its distribution centre in Livingston. The plant will generate about 5 megawatt (MW) of power - enough to meet the demand of the distribution centre and four Tesco superstores. It is estimated that the plant will offset over 22,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from electricity generation. The plant will use locally sourced wood chips to produce electricity.

As part of the formal planning process, the planning application will now be notified to Scottish ministers.

The plant will create ten full time jobs.

Tesco’s Scottish town planner Ben Train, said: “Tesco is rolling out onsite renewables in both existing sites and new developments.

“Consent for the 5 MW bio-mass CHP at Livingston demonstrates the company’s commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and maximising the benefits achievable from decentralised power generation.”