A major project is underway at ScottishPower's Longannet Power Station in Fife.

Up to 650 workers will be on-site over a four month period to deliver a £25m overhaul of one of the station's four generating units.

More than 50 individual contracts have been awarded as part of the project, marking a significant investment in the facility.

Longannet has been helping to power Scotland for more than 40 years and the firm says the upgrade will ensure its efficient operations continue.

The work is being carried out on Unit 3, which alone is capable of generating up to 600MW of electricity. This is approximately 10% of Scotland’s average peak electricity demand.


Upgrade work will involve the full replacement of major boiler parts, including the pipe work, the replacement of the Generator Transformer, and an overhaul of valves, pumps and motors.

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."

(JP/CD)