Secure affordable energy

Within eight years, it is estimated Scotland will have insufficient generating capacity to meet its requirement for reliable electricity.

The UK government’s Energy Act 2008 introduced legislation to meet four energy policy goals:

• Cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050, with real progress being demonstrated by 2020
• Maintain reliability of energy supplies
• Promote competitive markets in the UK
• Ensure every home is adequately and affordably heated.

With prices for other sources of energy rising, coal is becoming more attractive, and it is government policy in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK that coal plays a vital role in providing secure, reliable electricity for the foreseeable future.

The power station would provide enough low carbon electricity to meet the average needs of two million homes.