This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Donald Dewar goes underground
09/10/1998
Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar today brought out the first coal from the largest source of untapped reserves in Western Europe after a £35 million development programme at Longannet Colliery .
After travelling two miles underground to reach the coal, Mr Dewar said that the development the beginning of a new and exciting development for both the Longannet deep mine and power station.
Mr Dewar said:
"This is one of the most significant developments in Scotland for many years and will ensure coal production for power generation well into the next millennium.
Dogged determination by both management and men has brought this project to fruition. Scottish Coal is a fine example to other coal producers of how to succeed in a fiercely competitive market. The company's investment, together with the support of its customers, ScottishPower and Hydro-Electric, is a vote of confidence in the future of the Scottish economy. It is also a compliment to the workforce which has worked long and hard to make this mine the success it now is.
Our energy policy is to ensure secure, diverse and sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices and we recognise that competitive markets and competitive companies are the key to achieving this. Scotland is fortunate that it has such companies in the shape of Scottish Coal, ScottishPower and Hydro Electric and we should not forget the contribution they make to the diversity of the Scottish economy."
BACKGROUND
1. The Longannet deep mine is the last of its kind in Scotland. Its present reserves were due to run out in 2000. To extend the life of the mine, its owners, Scottish Coal, have driven new access roadways under the Forth into the new Kincardine reserves, which are among the largest untapped reserves in Western Europe.
2. The mine produces about 1.7 million tonnes of low sulphur coal each year, all of which goes directly to the adjacent Longannet power station by conveyor belt. The remainder of the power station's requirements are met from opencast sites across Scotland.
3. Scottish Coal have recently signed contracts with ScottishPower and Hydro-Electric for the long term supply of coal to the power station, in which Hydro-Electric have a contractual interest.
News Release: 2044/98
9 October, 1998