Green groups have welcomed news that Scotland's last coal-fired power station will close, saying it could mark a milestone in the transition to a clean energy system.
Operators announced Longannet in Fife is to close on 31 March next year, putting 230 jobs at risk.
Scottish Power said the high cost of connecting to the grid was to blame for the closure of the plant, which opened in 1972.
The company has also announced it is abandoning plans to build a new gas-fired power station at Cockenzie in East Lothian.
This announcement marks an historic, but important step in Scotland’s energy transition
Following the announcement, environmentalists and trade unionists found themselves at loggerheads over the closure, with the formed crowing over the demise of the “high polluting” plant and the latter warning of the implications for the economy locally and nationally.
Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said: “This announcement marks an historic, but important step in Scotland’s energy transition. While Longannet has served the nation for many years, it is Scotland's single biggest source of climate emissions and a combination of its age, air pollution rules, carbon pricing and transmission charging have made closure inevitable.
“The recent Scottish Parliament inquiry into energy security provided ample evidence from the National Grid and other experts that Scotland’s electricity supply is absolutely secure without Longannet.
“Indeed, Scotland will continue to remain a net annual exporter of power to the rest of Great Britain and an integrated part of the most secure electricity grid in Europe.
“This decision is certainly no surprise. Ministers have known for some time about Longannet’s likely closure and now need to focus on setting out a clear strategy for Scotland’s energy transition so that we can secure a just transition to a clean energy future.”
In a Facebook post, Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Welcome news for the climate as Scotland announces the closure of its last coal-fired power station but the workers must be supported and retrained to find new, clean energy jobs.”
Trade unions Prospect and GMB hit out at the closure. Jim Moohan, GMB Scotland organiser, said: “The plant has performed against the background of lack of financial support and of political support which should have enhanced it’s long term viability.”
Neil Clitheroe, head of retail and generation at Scottish Power, said: “This is a sad day for Scottish Power, and for our highly-skilled and committed team at Longannet. We have explored every potential option to keep the station open, and we still maintain that Longannet could continue generation in to the next decade under the right economic conditions.”
