Blackout Warnings Over Longannet Closure

Energy experts are warning that the lights could go out for 36 hours in Scotland next winter if Longannet power station is shut down completely.

The Fife plant is earmarked for full closure in March.

But industry figures - formerly of the National Grid and Scottish Power - want some generators kept on to prevent any potential power outages.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The Scottish Government has warned both National Grid and the UK Government repeatedly of the consequences of declining capacity margins in the GB electricity system and we share concerns expressed by a range of external experts.   
 
"These warnings were issued earlier this year when we called on National Grid and the UK Government to intervene to prevent the premature closure of Longannet. Both National Grid and the UK Government have failed to prevent the closure of Longannet, asserting that there is no problem with security of supply.

"The Energy Minister has worked closely with Longannet’s owners Scottish Power, the unions and key businesses within the Longannet supply chain to explore all possible options to avert the plant’s untimely closure and is more than happy to meet with Prof. Macleod, Sir Donald and Colin Gibson to discuss matters further.  

"However, electricity generation is a reserved matter and all payments made to power generators are the responsibility of the UK Government and National Grid.  The Scottish Government and Parliament will continue to our voice our concerns but we have no statutory authority to intervene in the way proposed."