Scotland to probe energy security after Longannet closure

The Scottish government will launch an investigation into the future security of the country's energy supply, following the announcement that Longannet will close next year.

The parliamentary inquiry will consider supply, demand, the transmission network and market functioning as well as seeking to answer questions about the role of new generation on meeting demand and the impact of demand-side response on peak demand.

Scottish select committee convener Murdo Fraser said: “It is imperative that this inquiry starts a debate in Scotland about how we can secure Scotland’s energy supply and looks at the implications of the likely early closure of Longannet.

“There are a number of wider issues at play here from the move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, significant reform to the UK electricity market as well as the capability of the UK transmission network to meet demand.

“It is the role of this committee to establish the facts, question the experts, and scrutinise the actions of the UK and Scottish governments, who all have a responsibility to secure Scotland’s supply.”

In its inquiry, the committee will investigate whether or not there is sufficient generation to meet demand to the end of the decade and if the tools are in place to facilitate the switch from fossil fuels to renewables.

The probe will also look at the role of new transmission network projects in securing supply and where future investment should be directed, as well as the role of the distribution network and the single European electricity market, and the adequacy of policies such as the capacity mechanism under the electricity market reform (EMR).

MSPs have today issued a call for evidence to gather views on the issue of Scotland’s energy security and will take evidence up until May this year.

Scottish Power announced earlier this week that its Longannet power plant will be forced to close next year, after National Grid opted to award a crucial contract to rival energy generator SSE.

The future of the plant was first called into question when Scottish Power’s parent company Iberdrola stated that high transmission charges in Scotland had made it “uneconomic” to bid the 2.4GW plant into the UK’s capacity auctions in December.

The Scottish government has long fought to keep Longannet open and, in February, the Scottish National Party impelled UK prime minister David Cameron to take “urgent action” to avoid early closure of the plant, but to no avail.

A parliamentary spokeswoman said the committee expects to report its findings in September this year.