Scroll down the list of questions below to find responses from the project team to frequently asked questions from members of the public on the Future of Cockenzie. The FAQs will be supplemented to include queries raised frequently during the consultation process and as the project progresses.

• Who is ScottishPower?

  http://www.scottishpower.com/AboutUs.htm

• How can I make my opinions known?

  Please complete a feedback form and return to the project team either by email at cockenzieconsents@gvagrimley.co.uk or by post to Cockenzie Consents Team, GVA Grimley, Quayside House, 127 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QG.

• Why is ScottishPower considering options for a CCGT Power Station and Gas Pipeline project at Cockenzie?

  The existing coal-fired power station is reaching the end of its operational life and must close by 31 December 2015. Therefore, ScottishPower is examining an option to replace it with a new Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station.

  Should this option be taken forward there would also be a requirement for a gas pipeline in order to supply the new CCGT power station with fuel. The pipeline would connect the new power station to the national transmission gas system, which is located approximately 17km (10.5 miles) to the east at East Fortune.

• GAS PIPELINE

• What is the route of the gas pipeline?

  The gas pipeline will link the proposed new CCGT Power Station to a new above ground installation, which currently is proposed to be located adjacent to the existing national grid compound at East Fortune. A preferred route has been identified, which avoids the most sensitive environmental areas. However, the route is subject to further studies and discussions with land owners.

• What is the diameter of the pipeline?

  The diameter of the pipeline is proposed to be 600mm, or 24 inches.

• Could a sub-sea pipeline route be considered?

  A series of alternative routes, including sub-sea and on-shore options have been considered and will be discussed in the Environmental Statement. As the Firth of Forth is identified as a Special Protection Area, the environmental impacts are considered to be less significant with the proposed landward option. In addition, there are significant engineering issues arising from a sub-sea option.

• Where will the above ground installation for the gas pipeline be located?

  The above ground installations (AGIs) will be located where the pipeline meets the proposed new CCGT Power Station, at its western end, and where it links into the existing gas network at its eastern end. At its western end, the AGI will lie within the site of the redeveloped power station, whilst at its eastern end, it is proposed that the AGI will lie adjacent to the existing national grid compound at East Fortune.

• Will the pipeline be on the surface of the ground?

  Apart from the AGIs at East Fortune and the new CCGT power station, the pipeline will be underground for its entire route. It is not proposed that there will be any further AGI at any point along the route.

• What is the extent of construction activity associated with the pipeline?

  This is being considered in detail as part of the Environmental Statement, which will be submitted with the application to Scottish Government. Along the majority of the length of the route, a ‘working width’ of up to 30m will be required within which construction activities will take place. Following the completion of construction, the land will be restored to its previous condition and apart from small marker posts at intervals along the pipeline and at points where the pipeline crosses a road or railway line. There will not be any evidence of the pipeline’s presence.

• Will environmentally sensitive areas be taken into account in the determination of the pipeline route?

  A 1km-wide feasibility corridor has been established within which a comprehensive series of environmental surveys is nearing completion. Findings of the surveys will be assessed and set out in the Environmental Statement, which will accompany the application for the Pipeline Consent. ScottishPower is aware of known environmental sensitivities in the area, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Special Protection Areas, all of which were significant factors in the determination of the preferred pipeline route. There may be further refinement of the preferred pipeline route once the environmental studies are complete and discussions have taken place with landowners. In addition, there are some engineering studies to complete which may also influence the route.

• How will the pipeline construction affect ecology and habitats?

  This issue is currently being comprehensively considered as part of the environmental impact assessment process and as a responsible developer, ScottishPower will ensure sufficient mitigation measures (including potential seasonal construction restrictions) are in place should any habitats be affected by development.

• How safe is the gas pipeline?

  The pipeline will be designed in accordance with established UK standards. It will be rigorously tested to levels in excess of its operational capacity.

• Could the gas pipeline provide domestic connections at Athelstaneford?

  This is outside ScottishPower’s control, but the question will be raised with the local gas supplier.

• CCGT POWER STATION

• Where will the new CCGT Power Station be located?

  Feasibility work has identified the redevelopment of the existing Power Station as preferable to constructing a standalone CCGT Power Station on either the Preston Links site, the coal yard or the eastern or western elements of the existing power station site.

  This option allows the retention and re-use of much of the existing infrastructure, although some physical alterations to the appearance of the building will be required.

• What will the new CCGT Power Station look like?

  The consultation materials from the September 2009 exhibitions are available on the Community Consultation page of the website. Within the exhibition boards are indicative images of how the new CCGT Power Station may look. At this stage these images are only indicative and the possibility remains that the ongoing engineering studies may result in some amendment to the dimensions and appearance of the new Station. The images do however represent ScottishPower’s latest thinking and any further amendments will be communicated to the community.

• Will there be a reduction in particles emitted from the Power Station?

  The proposed gas-fired Power Station would produce significantly reduced levels of emissions. For example, compared to the existing station, carbon dioxide levels would be more than halved, levels of nitrogen oxides would be less than one third and emissions of sulphur dioxide would be negligible. In addition, the change of fuel from coal to gas will result in significantly reduced emissions of dust and other particulates.

  More details will follow in subsequent exhibitions, but it will be demonstrated that the emission levels are well within the limits imposed by the UK Government to protect human health and ecosystems. Details of the impact of emissions on air quality will be fully set out in the environmental statement accompanying the application.

• What level of disruption will be experienced by the community during construction of the pipeline and CCGT Power Station?

  A comprehensive environmental impact assessment is being undertaken, which will fully assess a broad range of impacts during the construction process. Where appropriate, ScottishPower will propose suitable measures to mitigate impacts during this period. For example, a new access road, following the route of the conveyor belt, is proposed to prevent traffic having to pass through the towns of Prestonpans and Cockenzie/Port Seton.

• Will there be any mitigation of noise and pollution from the existing Power Station in the short-term?

  The current Power Station operates within prescribed limitations with regards to emissions and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of its operational life.

• Why is Carbon Capture and Storage not proposed at this stage?

  Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a technology that is currently going through the process of being fully proven on a commercial scale. As part of the proposals for Cockenzie, ScottishPower is required to demonstrate to Scottish Government that there are not any barriers to a CCS plant being fitted at Cockenzie at a later stage. ScottishPower is fully committed to progressing CCS as a viable technology for future use, as demonstrated by its involvement in the UK Government’s CCS competition and its pilot carbon capture project currently operating at Longannet Power Station.

• Could the proposed CCGT Power Station be located in a less residential area or nearer to the source of gas?

  The principle of continued electricity generation at Cockenzie has support at both the national and local levels through the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework and within East Lothian Council’s Local Plan. The current site benefits from being adjacent to the existing infrastructure required to connect the power station to the national electricity grid. In addition, it will allow re-use of the existing direct cooling water system from the Firth of Forth.

• How many people will the proposed CCGT station employ?

  It is estimated that the CCGT will employ up to 50 direct staff, with further job opportunities being created indirectly through support roles such as maintenance, engineering, finance, energy trading and procurement activities. A peak of 1000 jobs will also be created during the construction and decommissioning phases. A more detailed analysis is currently being undertaken and further information will be presented at subsequent exhibitions to demonstrate the potential opportunities for the local communities.

• What will be the impact of the new station on East Lothian’s economy?

  The environmental statement will include a dedicated chapter on socio-economics, which will consider the impact of the project on the local economy. Apart from employment opportunities, both during construction and operational phases of the development, it will examine how the project will affect local businesses, such as hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, shops and restaurants. In addition, it will consider the impact on the local tourism industry. Further details will be provided at subsequent exhibitions.

• What impact will the proposed development have on East Lothian’s tourism industry?

  As above, this issue is considered in detail within the Socio-Economics chapter of the Environmental Statement, which will accompany the applications to Scottish Government.

• GENERAL

• What community consultation has been undertaken to date?

  The first community consultation events were in the form of Public Information Events and were held on 9 June 2009 in Athelstaneford Village Hall from 12-8pm, and on 10 June 2009 in the Port Seton Centre from 12-8pm. Adverts were placed in local newspapers and notices were displayed at community centres, libraries, etc. Invitations were also sent to members of the public in Cockenzie/Port Seton, Prestonpans and along the proposed pipeline route. This resulted in over 210 people attending the exhibitions over the course of the two days. These events introduced the project to the public and invited feedback from the community to help inform ScottishPower’s Feasibility Study. Following the two information days, the exhibition boards were displayed in Cockenzie Power Station during the 3 Harbours Arts Festival alongside the art exhibition in the former canteen, allowing members of the public to view the boards at their leisure.

  The second Public Information Events were held on 22 September 2009 in Athelstaneford Village Hall from 4-8pm, and on 23 September 2009 in Prestonpans Library from 12-8pm. These events reported the findings of ScottishPower’s Feasibility Study and Site Selection process. Again adverts were placed in local newspapers, posters were distributed in the community and invitations were sent out to members of the public. In total for both the June and September consultation events, more than 12,000 invitations were sent out via the Royal Mail to members of the public.

  Ongoing meetings have been held with community representative groups and this will continue throughout the project.

  Further consultation is planned for November 2009 where further details of the project will be provided.

• What are the timescales for construction of the pipeline and CCGT Power Station?

  The construction period for the CCGT Power Station is estimated at 4-5 years, whilst the construction period for the pipeline is estimated at 6-9 months. This is, however, dependent on securing the required consents.

  On commissioning of the CCGT power station, the remainder of the existing coal-fired power station will be decommissioned and dismantled.

• Will further details of the proposals be provided?

  The first round of community consultation was carried out in June 2009 at a very early stage in the project, as an introduction to the CCGT process and site selection study.

  Further information on the results of the feasibility study and site selection process was provided to the public at the second community consultation event in September 2009, including site selection findings, indicative massing, and pipeline details. This information can be accessed on the Community Consultation page of the website.

  Further exhibitions will follow, where more details of the project will be provided.

• Can I submit formal representations in respect of the developments?

  Procedures for formally commenting on the applications will be widely advertised before and after submission of the applications. Contrary to reports elsewhere, the formal public consultation period will be 28 days from the date of the last published notice of the application.

• Will the John Muir Way remain open?

  The proposed works include some upgrades to the sea-wall defences and other seaward structures. In the interests of health and safety this may require temporary diversions of the John Muir Way. If this is the case, ScottishPower will seek the relevant temporary diversion order from East Lothian Council.

  Beyond the construction period, the John Muir Way will be retained in its current location.

• How secure is gas as a long term source of fuel?

  The risks of gas import dependency are being mitigated by an increase in gas storage capacity and a diversity of import options. A major new supply of gas has come on line in 2007 with the opening of the Langeled pipeline from the Ormen Langeled field off Norway, and Liquified Natural Gas facilities have been commissioned at various locations throughout the UK. There are also other gas storage projects approved and pending which will contribute to storage that will improve both the management of gas supplies and address short-term security of supply concerns in the UK.

• Is biomass an option?

  The current proposal is solely for a gas fired CCGT. Co-firing biomass with gas in a CCGT presents a number of technical challenges and therefore has not been considered as part of the current proposals.

• Will the bund around the neighbouring residential development be removed?

  The bund around the Persimmon Homes housing development (formerly Lowe’s market gardens) to the south west of the Power Station lies outside ScottishPower’s ownership and control.

  The bund that surrounds the coal yard will be considered as part of the master planning exercise that ScottishPower are undertaking as part of the longer term strategy for the coal yard area.

• Will the burial of high voltage lines between Cockenzie and Smeaton be considered as part of the current proposals?

  The high voltage lines form part of the national electricity grid, operated by National Grid. The undergrounding of the lines does not form part of the current proposals.

• Will CHP be considered as part of the project?

  The potential opportunities for CHP at Cockenzie are being explored and the feasibility will be fully addressed as part of the sustainability assessment and statement. A CHP Feasibility Study is being prepared and will accompany the application.

• Is there the potential for the promotion of public arts as part of the project?

  There is potential for the incorporation and promotion of public arts. This will be considered further as the project advances and in discussions with local interest groups.