Scotland Shuts Last Coal-Fired Power Plant

GALWAY, IRELAND--March 25, 2016--Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Coal-fired power has come to an end in Scotland following the closure of the Longannet power plant in Fife after 46-years of service.

The plant was the last operating coal-fired plant in Scotland, which has some of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the European Union (EU). The 2,400-megawatt (MW) plant is owned and operated by ScottishPower Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland), part of Spanish energy major Iberdrola S.A. (BMAD:IBE) (Bilbao, Spain).

Longannet took eight years to construct and when it was commissioned in 1969 it was the largest coal power station in Europe. It supplied enough power for 2.3 million homes annually.

"Longannet has contributed more electricity for the national grid than any other power station in Scotland's history, and it is a sad day for everyone at ScottishPower," said Hugh Finlay, generation director at ScottishPower. "The highly-skilled team at Longannet have worked hard in difficult circumstances over the last six months to ensure that the station continued to operate at a high level over the winter."

He added: "Coal has long been the dominant force in Scotland's electricity generation fleet, but the closure of Longannet signals the end of an era. For the first time in more than a century no power produced in Scotland will come from burning coal. Although ScottishPower is at the forefront of renewable energy development, we will be reflecting today on the important contribution that Longannet has made in keeping the lights on for millions of homes and businesses for nearly half a century."

Last week also the saw the impending closure of the Ferrybridge coal-fired plant in Yorkshire, England, confirmed by owner and operator SSE plc (LSE:SSE) (Perth, Scotland). The company said that it will officially close the 2,000-MW plant on March 31 after almost 50 years of operation.

Industrial Info reported on SSE's decision to shut the plant last year when it cited rising costs, falling profits and stricter environmental rules. For additional information, see May 25, 2015, article--Rising Costs Force Closure of Ferrybridge Power Plant in England.

Last month, the U.K. was hit by a number of coal-fired closure announcements. SSE said it is planning the early shutdown of three of the four operating units at the 2,000-MW Fiddler's Ferry coal-fired power station in Cheshire, England. French energy firm ENGIE (EPA:ENGI) (Paris, France) announced the summer closure of the 1,050- MW Rugeley coal-fired power plant in Staffordshire, England. Both companies cited low power prices and higher carbon costs for their decisions. For additional information, see February 17, 2016, article--SSE Plans Unit Shutdowns at Fiddler's Ferry Plant in U.K. and the February 15, 2016, article--ENGIE to Shut Unprofitable Rugeley Coal-Fired Plant in the U.K..

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