This page provides up-to-date news on the Future of Cockenzie and will be updated regularly as the project progresses.

The Cockenzie Power Station Community Newsletter is produced on a monthly basis. Each newsletter will be available in this section of the website. To receive a personal copy of the Community Newsletter and updates on dates of community consultation events, please register your email address on the Home Page.

Current News

ScottishPower’s application for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the replacement of Cockenzie Power Station’s existing coal-fired boilers and associated plant with two new modern, high efficiency, natural gas-fired Combined Cycle Gas Turbine units was submitted on 7 December 2010. Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit is currently progressing the determination of the application.

A separate application in respect of the associated gas pipeline is currently being prepared and will be submitted to Scottish Government later in 2010.

Older News

• Feasibility Study

  ScottishPower is undertaking a feasibility study to examine options for the location of a new CCGT power station. The feasibility study focuses upon a study area including the existing Cockenzie Power Station, Preston Links and the Coal Yard.

  Community feedback is fundamental to guiding this site selection process and ScottishPower’s target is to complete the feasibility study by July 2009.

• Community Consultation - June 2009

  The first community consultation takes the form of a Public Information Event which will inform ScottishPower’s Feasibility Study. These events will be held on two consecutive days from 12-8pm.

  TUESDAY 9 JUNE 2009 – 12.00pm – 8.00pm

  Athelstaneford Village Hall
  Athelstaneford
  EH39 5BE

  

  WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2009 – 12.00pm – 8.00pm

  Port Seton Centre
  South Seton Park
  Port Seton
  EH32 0BQ

  

• Community Consultation - September 2009

  The second community consultation took the form of a Public Information Event which reported the findings of ScottishPower’s Feasibility Study and Site Selection process. These events were held on two consecutive days:

  TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2009 – 4.00pm – 8.00pm

  Athelstaneford Village Hall
  Athelstaneford
  EH39 5BE

  

  WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2009 – 12.00pm – 8.00pm

  Prestonpans Library
  West Loan
  Prestonpans
  EH32 9NX

  

• Community Consultation - November 2009

  The third community consultation took the form of a Public Information Event keeping the community up to date with the progress of the project. These events were held at two different venues:

  WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2009 - 11.00am - 3.00pm

  Port Seton Library
  Port Seton Centre
  South Seton Park
  Port Seton
  EH32 0BQ

  

  WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2009 - 4.00pm - 8.00pm

  Prestonpans Library
  West Loan
  Prestonpans
  EH32 9NX

  

• Section 36 Application

  In December 2009, an application was submitted to the Scottish Government for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct and operate a gas-fired CCGT generating station with a nominal output of 1,000MW, and associated works, and deemed planning permission under Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, at Cockenzie Power Station, East Lothian.

  Viewing the application

  The Section 36 application is available for inspection, free of charge, during normal office hours at:

  • Prestonpans Library, West Loan, Prestonpans, East Lothian, EH32 9NX
  • Port Seton Library, Port Seton Centre, South Seton Park, Port Seton, East Lothian, EH32 8BG
  • East Lothian Council, John Muir House, Brewery Park, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3HD
  • Scottish Government Library, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD

  Copies of the Environmental Statement may be obtained from GVA Grimley Ltd, Quayside House, 127 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QG or via email at a charge of £200 hard copy, and on CD free of charge. The Non Technical Summary is available to view on the Home Page of this website.

  Commenting on the application

  Any representations to the application should be made by 12 February 2010. There are three ways in which representations can be made:

  • Completing the online representation form on The Scottish Government Energy Consents website
  • By email to The Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit mailbox
  • By post to The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation.

  Representations should be dated and should clearly state the name (in block capitals) and full return email or postal address of those making representation. All representations to the Scottish Government will be copied in full to the planning authority, and made available to the public on request, unless individuals request otherwise.

• Community Consultation - Jan / Feb 2010

  The fourth community consultation took the form of a Public Information Event to inform the community of the Section 36 application for the CCGT Power Station at Cockenzie, and to update further on the gas pipe-line project. These events were held on Tuesday 26 January 2010 at Prestonpans Library from 12pm - 8pm, Wednesday 27 January 2010 at Port Seton Library from 11am - 5pm, and Wednesday 3 February 2010 at Athelstaneford Village Hall from 1pm - 6pm.

  Following submission of additional information on the Section 36 application to Scottish Ministers, copies of this information have been forwarded to East Lothian Council and are now available for public inspection. Any representations should be made in writing to The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow G2 8LU or emailed to energyconsents@scotland.gsi.gov.uk identifying the proposal and specifying grounds for objection or support, not later than 29 March 2010. Representations should be dated and should clearly state the name (in block capitals) and full return email or postal address of those making representation.