Talks Sought Over Longannet Future

The Scottish Energy Minister is seeking a meeting with his UK counterpart to discuss the potential closure of a Fife power plant.

Fergus Ewing wants a meeting with Ed Davey, after Scottish Power warned that connection charges are threatening the future of Longannet.

It costs the firm £40million to connect to the national grid, while a plant in the south of England costs £4million.

The coal firing station near Kincardine creates enough electricity for two million homes.

Approximately around 260 people work at the facility.

Mr Ewing said:

“UK energy policy and regulation has endangered security of supply, has damaged investment in renewable energy, and now threatens Longannet. During the referendum campaign the UK Government made much of the so-called benefits of the UK for energy policy but the reality on the ground is now plain for all to see.

“The UK Government has completely failed to manage the electricity system properly and unfortunately the consequences are now being felt. With a looming security of supply crisis, maintaining a charging regime that penalises Scotland’s energy generators is of great concern and simply makes no sense.

“Scotland’s largest power station, Longannet, has the potential to generate affordable, reliable power for years to come and yet it is being priced out of the market. We need a urgent rethink on policy for baseload capacity and reform of the UK transmission charging system, and I will be writing to UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey to seek an urgent meeting to discuss the future of Longannet and wider energy security.”

“As well as electricity supply and grid stability I am also concerned about the jobs involved. Longannet employs around 260 full time staff as well as benefitting the wider economy via suppliers to the plant. For the sake of both the workforce and the security of our energy system we need urgent reform of the much discredited transmission charging regime and better policy to maintain the reliable capacity that Longannet provides. I hope the UK Government will at long last take this issue seriously.”

Thomas Docherty, whose constituency includes Longannet Power Station previously added: 

"It is vital that the UK and Scottish Governments engage with Scottish Power, the owners of Longannet to ensure the medium term future of the current station, along with finding a long term replacement for a station that is now 44 years old. 

"I will also be speaking to DECC when Parliament reconvenes in 9 days' time to discuss what steps should be taken to secure the future of the site and securing its long term future."