A Central Fife councillor has highlighted continued flaring and called on the operators of Mossmorran to negate any future risk to jobs by investing in renewable energy.

It comes after a report said that investment and improvements have led to a dramatic drop in complaints about the plants, plummeting from a peak of 1,671 in 2020 to just 45 last year.

Cllr Mary Lockhart said: “I’m really pleased about the dramatic reduction in complaints, because it indicates that the introduction of more ground flares has stopped people from being so disrupted.

“However, it’s not correct that flaring has stopped, it’s that they’re no longer using the elevated flare as often."

Talking at the Cowdenbeath area committee, she said: "I've had several people getting in touch, and I saw it myself on Saturday night, there was massive flaring. I think it was from the ground flare. Are you aware of it and do you know what caused it?" 

Environmental strategy officer Kenny Bisset said that he wasn't aware of the flaring in question. 

Councillors welcomed the reduction in complaints, and committee convener Alex Campbell asked for the number of times flaring has happened across both plants. 

Cllr Lockhart said: "What has happened is we're not seeing the level of flaring from the elevated flare but the flaring is continuous because it's part of the operation with the plants. 

"It's just it's now at ground level so it's not going up and turning the sky orange." 

Speaking to the Times, she added: “When the elevated flare is in use, warning is usually given to the community, so they are prepared. That is undoubtedly an improvement.

"However, it remains my opinion that if we still need plants like Mossmorran they should not be situated in urban areas."

The Fife Ethylene Plant is run by ExxonMobil, and Fife NGL plant is run by Shell. Both companies were issued final warning letters in April 2018 following repeated unplanned flaring.

Cllr Lockhart continued: “I’m sorry that the major investment which has led to the reduction in flaring was in the continuation of this plant.

“I don’t think it helps with the just transition that I’ve always supported from fossil fuels into renewables. Elsewhere, Shell and Exxon are both investing in renewables but not in our area.

“What happens to Mossmorran when we have replaced carbon producing energies? Do the workers face unemployment again, or are we consistently reskilling them?"

The plant currently converts ethane into ethylene, which is the base material for the manufacture of plastics used in food packaging, medical equipment, car parts, and many more products.

But a report last year backed by MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell outlined possible future pathways to a decarbonised Mossmorran.

Cllr Lockhart added: “We have a tendency to rush into something without thinking about the long-term future.

"If we did that with Mossmorran, they’d be investing some of the profits that they make into future proofing jobs and employment.

“We didn’t do that with mining, and you look at whole communities where the removal of that industry left them with massive social problems. My home village of Ballingry is a case in point.”

Praising support for community groups offered by the plant's operators, she said: "They've been tremendously supportive of a number of community groups in the area with the investment they’ve put in. That makes it very difficult to continue the kind of opposition I have to it."