Following a detailed strategic review, ScottishPower has stated that the remaining operational hours permitted under European Law at Cockenzie Power Station are expected to expire by the end of March 2013. The station was opted out of the Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) in January 2008 and as a consequence was required to close by December 2015 or after it had operated for 20,000 hours.

The final operational hours will be strategically managed and the station is set to close on 31st March 2013. ScottishPower announced in April 2011 that the output of the station would be halved to 550MW from April 2012 as part of its remit to manage the remaining hours.

Cockenzie Power Station was commissioned in 1967 and, over the years, has played a significant role in meeting Scotland’s energy needs.

Over the next 12 months the company will work closely with all 100 employees currently working at the station. For those who wish to stay with the company, every effort will be made to find suitable alternative employment in other areas of the business. Where this is not possible severance arrangements will be put in place, and the company hopes to be able to carry this out under voluntary terms.

Neil Clitheroe, CEO of ScottishPower Generation Holdings Ltd, said: “For over 40 years, the skills and experience of the team at Cockenzie has ensured that the Station operated in a flexible and reliable manner. Their hard work and dedication throughout these years has enabled the station to operate for more than 20 years beyond its design life.

We will be working very closely with all employees at Cockenzie in the coming months and we are hopeful that alternative employment can be offered to all staff who wish to stay within the company.”

Following the award of planning permission granted last year by the Scottish Government for a new gas plant at Cockenzie, ScottishPower is continuing to evaluate options for the development of the site.

Media information: Simon McMillan 0141 614 4582 / 07753 622 257