By Aileen Robertson

LONGANNET POWER station in Fife could be fitted with equipment to cut carbon emissions. The move comes after environmentalists criticised the Kincardine plant for contributing to climate change.

A recent report compiled by the WWF identified the power station as one of the Dirty Thirty—the most polluting power stations in Europe.

According to WWF’s figures, Longannet emitted more than 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide last year, an increase of over 20% between 2005 and 2006.

However, on his second day as Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond announced a project to convert Longannet to clean coal technology.

ScottishPower plans to fit Longannet and Cockenzie in East Lothian, its two main power stations, with turbines and boilers designed by Alstom Power and Doosan Babcock in what would be the biggest project of its kind in Europe.

Together, the two power stations provide more than a quarter of Scotland’s electricity needs and the upgrade would reduce carbon emissions by 20%.

It is possible the new turbines and boilers could be built within the existing station buildings.

Spanish utility company Iberdrola completed its takeover of Scottish Power last month, a move which created Europe’s third largest electricity group.

Iberdrola chairman and chief executive Ignacio Galan has discussed the proposals with Mr Salmond.

Mr Salmond said, “It is crucial, not only for Scotland but for the planet, that we achieve a low carbon economy.

“We must do this not just by exploiting our nation’s renewables potential but also by deploying expertise in clean coal and indeed hydrocarbon technology.

“If we can reduce carbon emissions, coal can play a vital role in giving Scotland the diversity of energy sources which is essential for security of energy supply.

“I want to see Scottish based companies make Scotland greener and I also want to see them benefit from exporting their expertise throughout the world. The Scottish Power-Iberdrola Group are setting a global example by striving to harness the opportunities these technologies offer.

“In doing so they are supported by the expertise of Renfrew-based Doosnan Babcock.”

Fitting the new equipment would take an estimated 19 months, during which both Longannet and Cockenzie would run at reduced capacity.

Scottish Power said the scheme, which has been three years in the pipeline, would bring the company to the forefront of international clean-coal technology and build on the £170m installation of flue gas desulphurisation at Longannet.

European restrictions would have forced the closure of Longannet by 2015, but the FGD system will reduce the plant’s output of the noxious gas sulphur dioxide, allowing it to stay open a further five years.

If the proposal announced yesterday goes ahead, construction could start in 2009 with operations beginning in 2012, further extending the lives of both plants.

The refitted stations will also be designed to incorporate carbon capture technology being developed at Longannet.

The scheme involves pumping carbon emissions from the station into deep underground coal seams to drive out methane gas which can then be used as a fuel.

The carbon emissions remain trapped in the coal seams.