Question S4W-10762: Clean Coal Technology Prospects at Longannet Power Station

Date Lodged: 31/10/2012

 

Answered by Fergus Ewing (Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism) (12/11/2012): The decision to fit Longannet Power Station with clean coal technology would be a commercial decision for the station operator. The Scottish Government has set out its approach to the development of clean electricity generation in its draft Electricity Generation Policy Statement. This sets out the pathway to deliver the equivalent of at least 100% of gross electricity consumption from renewables by 2020 as part of a wider, balanced electricity mix, supported by a minimum of 2.5GW of thermal generation fitted progressively with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). We are in discussion with the key parties including Scottish Power about their plans for the upgrade of existing thermal generation sites, which are identified as national developments in the National Planning Framework.