Richard Escott, the head of project development for Scottish Power, said that the Cockenzie power station would no more be operational, and the company is planning options for the replacement of the plant with a combined cycle gas turbine power station. The new facility is to be connected to the national gas network, which needs a new pipeline to be constructed.
Mr. Escott, said: An extensive public consultation process will start this week as part of the planning application. Scottish Power is looking to submit a Section 36 planning application to the Scottish Government later this year.
Richard Dixon World Wildlife Fund Scotland’s director, said: While using gas would be less polluting than coal, there will still be significant climate emissions. It is disappointing the company are not yet talking about carbon capture and storage for every power station.
