Cockenzie power station to close in 2013, but site will live on

The iconic coal-fired power station at Cockenzie in East Lothian is to close by March next year, it has been announced.

Owners ScottishPower are having to close the station after 44 years because it fails to comply with new environmental legislation.

The power station opted out of the Large Combustion Plant Directive in January 2008.

As a result, it was given an extra 20,000 to operate and told it must close by December 2015 at the latest.

ScottishPower said that remaining time is expected to expire by the end of March next year. The energy giant said “every effort” will be made to find positions elsewhere in the company for the 100 staff.

It said where this is not possible, severance arrangements will be put in place, which it hopes can be arranged voluntarily. It is understood many of employees will be transferred to Longannet power station in Fife. But the decision may not mean the end of power generation at the site.

The Scottish Government last year granted planning permission for a new gas plant at Cockenzie, making demolition of the existing massive structure unlikely.

ScottishPower are evaluating options for developing the site but the gas plant would “broadly” involve the same structure with some modifications.

Neil Clitheroe, chief executive of ScottishPower Generation Holdings Ltd, said: “For over 40 years, the skills and experience of the team at Cockenzie has ensured that the station operated in a flexible and reliable manner.

“Their hard work and dedication throughout these years has enabled the station to operate for more than 20 years beyond its design life. We will be working very closely with all employees at Cockenzie in the coming months and we are hopeful that alternative employment can be offered to all staff who wish to stay within the company.”

Billy Parker, regional officer for the Unite union, said: “We have a no compulsory redundancy policy but we’re concerned for the long-term implications because we believe the Scottish Government’s balanced energy renewables policy is based on supposition.”

Local Labour MSP Iain Gray said the announcement was “sad, but expected” news.

“I have always supported the replacement of the Cockenzie coal plant with a modern, cleaner gas-fired power station. I would urge ScottishPower to go ahead with this project which would provide 1,000 much- needed construction jobs in East Lothian.”

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: “The end of coal-burning at Cockenzie marks another major milestone in Scotland’s journey to becoming a zero-carbon economy.”

Rail freight companies DB Schenker and Freightliner, which transport coal to Cockenzie, have gradually been reducing amounts carried since the “winding down” was announced in 2007. Both will continue to supply Longannet.