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Longannet Power Station

Longannet power station
Longannet Power Station, 7 December 2011.jpg
Longannet power station in 2011
Country Scotland
Location Fife
Coordinates 56°02′56″N 3°40′56″W / 56.048942°N 3.682337°W / 56.048942; -3.682337Coordinates: 56°02′56″N 3°40′56″W / 56.048942°N 3.682337°W / 56.048942; -3.682337
Commission date 1973
Decommission date 24 March 2016
Operator(s) South of Scotland Electricity Board
(1973-1991)
Scottish Power
(1991-present)
Thermal power station
Primary fuel Coal-fired
Tertiary fuel Gas
Power generation
Annual gross output 9,525 GWh (2012)
grid reference NS953852

Longannet power station /lɒŋˈænt/ is a large closed coal-fired power station in Fife. It was the last coal-fired power station in Scotland. It was capable of co-firing biomass, natural gas and sludge. The station is situated on the north bank of the Firth of Forth, near Kincardine on Forth.

Its generating capacity of 2,400 megawatts was the highest of any power station in Scotland. The station began generating electricity in 1970, and when it became fully operational it was the largest coal-fired station in Europe. At the time of closure it was the third largest, after Bełchatów in Poland and Drax in England, and the 21st most polluting.

After failing to win a contract from the National Grid, Longannet closed on 24 March 2016. The station was opened in 1973 and operated by the South of Scotland Electricity Board until 1990 when its operation was handed over to Scottish Power following privatisation.

The station is a regional landmark, dominating the Forth skyline with its 183 m (600 ft) chimney stack. Longannet lacks cooling towers, having instead used water from the River Forth for cooling.


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