The redevelopment of the former Longannet power plant in Fife could spearhead Scotland’s drive to become carbon neutral by 2035.
That’s the view of Fife SNP MP Douglas Chapman, following the announcement that train manufacturing firm Talgo UK – which specialises in high speed tilting trains – has struck an agreement with Scottish Enterprise to use part of the site as its UK base to deliver future contracts, which could include providing vehicles for the HS2 railway project.
With Talgo UK specialising in producing low-carbon trains and carriages, Mr Chapman thinks this can be used to develop Scotland’s ambitions to become net-zero by 2035 through investment in innovative technology used by the Spanish firm.
He also said it could see Longannet transformed into a hub that would lead the way in low-carbon transport in the UK.
Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife said: “Having the former Longannet power station site earmarked for a state-of-the-art train manufacturing factory is extremely exciting.
“Not only does it bring with it the prospect of thousands of skilled jobs to my constituency, but also to a number of other Scottish firms that will be relied upon in its supply chain.
“Talgo is currently in the process of bidding for some major high-speed rail contracts across the continent and given its track record for providing low-carbon transport solutions, this is something we can learn from to develop our own transport network.
“The target of net zero by 2035 is achievable if we think about how we invest and innovate in different sectors, but also encourage commuters and travellers to use public transport that is reliable, fast and cheap and I think Talgo could be a gateway to that for Scotland.
“Talgo’s ethos of ‘pure manufacturing’, where everything is made in its factories rather than only assembled or painted here, means our workforce can learn and develop and take us forward into our new net-zero future.”
Talgo UK’s Longannet project is dependent on winning manufacturing contracts either in Britain or internationally but the firm’s managing director Jon Veitch has already said he was confident of winning a major award in 2020 that will make the Longannet connection a reality.
“The contract for rolling stock for HS2 is worth £2.7 billion,” Mr Veitch said.
“There’s a limit to what I can say as it’s currently being evaluated but we have submitted the best bid I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world.
“We are expecting to hear about HS2 in the middle of next year but it’s not the only show in town.
“Our two Spanish factories are at capacity and our Fife plans are based on winning work in the UK or anywhere else in the world.”
