Scottish Power starts £25m upgrade at Longannet

Scottish Power said the Longannet generating unit overhaul would "ensure continued efficient operation"

Scottish Power has started a multi-million pound overhaul of one of Longannet Power Station's four generating units.

The £25m upgrade will see up to 650 workers spend four months replacing major boiler parts and a generator transformer.

The work is being carried out on a unit which is capable of generating up to 600MW of electricity.

That equates to about 10% of Scotland's average peak electricity demand.

Scottish Power said the upgrade at the Fife-based power station would "ensure continued efficient operation".

More than 50 individual contracts have been awarded as part of the project

Scottish Power retail and generation chief executive Neil Clitheroe said it was "vital" to continue investment in major power stations like Longannet, following the closure of Cockenzie Power Station earlier this year.

"Longannet is the largest power station in Scotland, and it plays a pivotal role in producing electricity supplies for millions of homes and businesses," he said.

"We have invested in the station for more than 40 years, and just last year we undertook a £20m upgrade project on another unit.

"The work over the summer this year will help the station to remain an important part of Scotland's energy mix."