Published: Thursday, 11th June, 2009 7:05am

Cockenzie mark II

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THE imminent closure of Cockenzie Power Station could see the construction of a new gas-fired plant at the site, designed to harness a 'cleaner' form of energy, ScottishPower has revealed.

It has unveiled plans for a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Station, which would emit about half the volume of greenhouse gases currently produced by the company"s existing coal-fired plant at Cockenzie - labelled the 'dirtiest power station in Europe' and set to close by 2015.

However, the plans - which include installing a 17km underground gas pipeline from the station to connect with the national gas network at East Fortune - have gained a lukewarm response.

As part of a feasibility study, ScottishPower officials are investigating three possible locations for the proposed gas plant - the existing power station and 275kV sub-station at Cockenzie, the neighbouring Preston Links (green space located between the station and Lidl supermarket, Prestonpans) or the coal handling plant south of the existing site.

If approved, the station will be ScottishPower"s first CCGT plant and Scotland"s second - Peterhead Power Station also incorporates gas-burning technology in its electricity production.

As the cleanest form of energy available, the CCGT plant could match the existing 1,200MW electricity capacity available at Cockenzie and would be between 30 to 40 per cent more efficient than coal power, while also reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent.

ScottishPower plans to lodge an application with Ministers by the end of October this year and further community consultation is expected to take place in late August.

To fuel the plant, ScottishPower is proposing to install a 17km underground pipeline, running from the nearest existing natural transmission gas feeder East Fortune, connecting the station to the national gas network.

Though an exact route has yet to be determined, a suggested "feasibility corridor" is being considered.

A ScottishPower spokesman stressed that the suggested route 'avoids any environmental site' and would cause 'no disruption' to nearby villages such as Longniddry and Athelstaneford. The pipeline would also consist of three above ground structures, at either end of the route, with another located in the middle.

Approximately 50 jobs would be created if the CCGT station was given the green light, though a ScottishPower spokesman added that at least 1,000 jobs would become available during the construction of the plant.

The existing power station at Cockenzie employs about 160 fulltime staff members.

East Lothian MSP Iain Gray is set to visit Cockenzie Power Station on Tuesday for a full briefing on the CCGT proposals, which were also on display at two public exhibitions held this week in Athelstaneford and Port Seton.

ScottishPower officials revealed their plans to the local authority last Tuesday, during a sit-down with councillors.

East Lothian Council"s environment spokesman, Councillor Paul McLennan, welcomed the fact that a new station at Cockenzie would result in continued, though ultimately reduced, employment in the area and offer 'cleaner energy production' than the current coal-powered station.

However, he also said: 'There are issues that need to be addressed here, such as where this gas plant would be situated.

'But our main concern at the moment is the proposed pipeline as we know very little about that and we"d need to know exactly what the environmental impact would be.

'One of the things we"re very proud of is the East Lothian countryside and obviously this pipeline has the potential to cut a massive sway through that.'

The council"s depute leader and local ward member Stuart Currie echoed Mr McLennans concerns about the installation of the gas pipeline 'through the heart of East Lothian"s countryside'.

He added: 'There are many local residents who have told me that, rather than a new power station they want to see millions of pounds of re-generation monies flood in to the area to provide leisure facilities for our communities which would create hundreds of sustainable jobs.'

'I am asking the community councils, local groups and residents to let me know their views.'

Whilst Scottish Ministers will make the decision on any planning application, East Lothian Council is entitled to express its own views on behalf of local residents.'

If approved, the creation of the CCGT plant could quash the hopes of Prestonpans residents who previously discussed the developing a community facility, such as an arts centre or marina, at the site once the existing station closes.

Victor Cummings, vice-chair of Prestonpans Community Council, said he believed the group would be opposed to ScottishPower"s latest proposals.

'I"m at a loss for words to be honest,' he said.

'We were led to believe that the land that was originally given to the electricity board in the early 1960s to build the station would be returned to the Prestonpans community when it eventually closed.

'I think the last thing we would want is to have a new gas station in the middle of the land there.'