The plant’s early closure comes after Scottish Power failed to find a way of making it viable in the face of a charging regime that discriminates against non-renewable energy plants in Scotland.

Prospect negotiator Richard Hardy said: “The news is a body blow not just to Prospect members at the plant and the economy of West Fife and the Forth Valley, but also to Scotland’s hopes of remaining self-sufficient in energy generation.

“It is extremely disappointing that, despite the efforts of Scottish Power and the Scottish Government, it has not been possible to put in place ways of keeping Longannet open until its original planned closure date of 2020. National Grid has forecast very tight margins for power supply this winter so removing a station that generates enough electricity for two million homes is senseless.

“Our members are paying the price for a mechanism that rewards companies building power stations near to London and penalises those in Scotland. Scotland generates 12% of the UK’s total power yet pays 35% of the transmission charges. That is not a good deal for either companies or the customer.”

Hardy said Prospect will now focus on working with Scottish Power, the Scottish Government and the relevant local authorities to help as many of the 1,100 workers as possible find new jobs.

“These are skilled, highly-trained people and it is in the best interests of everyone if they stay in employment,” he said.

• Richard Hardy 0131 558 2660     (t) 07718 632171 (m) [email protected]
• Katherine Beirne 020 7902 6625 (t) 07753 933174 (m) [email protected]