£25 million upgrade project underway at Longannet Power Station

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed confirmation that a major upgrade project is underway to deliver a £25 million overhaul of one of Longannet Power Station’s four generating units. More than 50 individual contracts have been awarded, and up to 650 workers will be onsite over a four month period.

The work is being carried out on Unit 3, which alone is capable of generating up to 600MW of electricity – approximately 10% of Scotland’s average peak electricity demand. Major boiler parts will be fully replaced, including pipe work and the Generator Transformer, while the valves, pumps and motors will be overhauled.

Mr Walker said: “Longannet has been a large employer of skilled and professional Fife workers over the last four decades, and this hefty investment will ensure the station continues to operate efficiently.”

Neil Clitheroe, CEO of ScottishPower Retail and Generation, said: “Longannet is the largest power station in Scotland, and it plays a pivotal role in producing electricity supplies for millions of homes and businesses.

“We have invested in the station for more than 40 years, and just last year we undertook a £20 million upgrade project on another unit. The work over the summer this year will help the station to remain an important part of Scotland’s energy mix.

“With the closure of Cockenzie Power Station earlier this year, it is vital that we continue to invest in major power stations like Longannet. As well as the station’s importance for Scotland’s energy security, it also supports thousands of jobs across a wide and varied supply chain.

“Beyond our investment in the station’s maintenance, we have also heavily invested in its environmental performance in recent years, meaning that the station will operate efficiently for many years to come.”