Investment prepares for redevelopment

ScottishPower is paying tens of millions of pounds to make the site viable for new investors, it has been revealed.

And its work with local communities will continue long after the gates shut.

It is a major project to decommission and demolish and prepare the site for potential future redevelopment and that is a fundamental part of the company’s role on the taskforce, helping to find future use for the site, beyond the work being carried out with the team at Longannet.

A ScottishPower spokesman said: “We continue to work closely with every team member at Longannet, to find the best outcomes possible for all individuals.

“Working with the trade unions, this process is progressing well.

“ScottishPower has also been an integral part of the task force group.

“A key part of our role in the group has been working with the partners to look at the potential use of the site at Longannet after demolition.

“We will work with interested parties and consider all options that could potentially encourage new businesses and create new jobs for the long term.”

In the short term, he added, the decommissioning work and demolition programme will run into tens of millions of pounds, ensuring the site will be ready for redevelopment.

“This programme will see ScottishPower continuing to operate the site and working with local communities for at least the next five years,” he said.