ScottishPower has announced a £20 million upgrade for two of Longannet Power station’s units. The work will take place between June and September 2012, during the station’s annual summer maintenance closure programme and provide work for up to 500 people.

The significant upgrade project will include the inspection, replacement and repair of the boiler, turbine replacement parts, pump and valve components and other planned maintenance works.

The majority of boiler related work will be undertaken by Doosan Power Systems, whilst the turbine work will be completed by Siemens who were chosen following an international tender process.  The work will also include the replacement of the Generator Transformer which weighs 300Tonnes. This work will be undertaken by Smit Transformatoren.  The £20 million project will employ around 500 people which  includes scaffolding, lagging and cleaning services that will be provided by Capes services  , and  take just over four months to complete. Hugh Finlay, ScottishPower’s Generation Director, said: “Longannet Power Station continues to play a pivotal role in providing electricity for homes and businesses in Scotland. We have invested millions of pounds in recent years to improve the stations performance and environmental standards.

“With careful maintenance and continued investment, Longannet has already surpassed its original lifetime expectations. This new investment will ensure that the station can continue to operate efficiently for many years to come.”

Media information – Simon McMillan 0141 614 4582

Notes to Editors:

Longannet Power Station Facts:

• The station is located on the banks of the Firth of Forth, on 89 hectares of land (or 89,000m2)


• First opened in 1969 – it was fully operational from 1973


• It operates four 600-megawatt (MW) turbines, and has a net output of 2,304MW of electricity, which is enough to keep the lights on in 2 million UK homes


• It is the second largest coal power station in the UK, and third largest in Europe