DUNFERMLINE MP Thomas Docherty is set to meet UK ministers and the National Grid in a bid to save Longannet from closure.

Fresh fears over the Kincardine plant’s future emerged this week after talks between Scottish Power and the National Grid over connection costs stalled, sparking alarm that 260 jobs could be lost.

At present, keeping the facility connected to the National Grid and sending electricity to the main centres of demand and generation – the UK’s most densely-populated areas in London and the south-east of England – costs £40million per year in transmission charges.

The figure increases based on the distance that separates the station from these areas and results in Longannet – which opened in 1969 and is Scotland’s largest power station – paying far more than plants in the south of England.

Last year, Scottish Power revealed that it would not submit Longannet into the UK Government’s auction to supply electricity generating capacity for the winter of 2018-19, while CEO Neil Clitheroe warned that to “reach the 2018 delivery year, Longannet needs to pay over £120m in transmission penalties”.

Although they stressed that they had “no plans to close” the power station, the energy firm also said that “within the coming years, changes to the plant’s financial situation must be achieved” to avoid the lights being switched off.

With discussions breaking down, Mr Docherty said, “I have had numerous conversations with the National Grid, UK ministers and officials and Longannet’s Spanish-owned company, and it is clear that following my intervention there is now a willingness to get back round the table as soon as possible to see whether a commercially-viable deal can be thrashed out. The UK Government has also undertaken to ensure that the question of security of supply is fully examined.

“It is very serious but nothing is confirmed at this stage. Longannet is the largest employer at the west end of Fife and still has a strategic role to play. I am meeting UK ministers and the National Grid next week to discuss face-to-face the way forward.

“Although I feel it is coming to the end of its life, my sole priority is keeping the lights on at Longannet and supporting the workers and the wider community around Kincardine.” Dunfermline MSP Cara Hilton said, “Whilst it is speculation at this stage, Longannet sustains hundreds of jobs in Kincardine and across West Fife. The local workforce were responsible for keeping the lights on in more than two million homes last year and the Scottish Government needs to reflect on that.

“I will be making representations to the Scottish Government to demand all options are explored to secure a sustainable future for Longannet but also to make preparation to provide support to the local community.” Douglas Chapman, the SNP’s Dunfermline and West Fife candidate for the forthcoming General Election, commented, “The news that talks between Scottish Power and the National Grid have stalled is extremely serious.

“Longannet is placed at a huge disadvantage by the National Grid compared to English power stations and is of huge strategic importance to Scotland. It can increase generation to meet demand and would play a key role in re-establishing supplies in the event of nationwide power cuts.

“We hope to ensure the maximum pressure is placed on the UK Government and the National Grid to do the right thing and remove the £44m per year penalty on Longannet.” A Scottish Power spokesperson added, “We are concerned about Longannet and are currently doing all that we can to guarantee the future of the power station as it plays an essential part of the energy system in Scotland.”