Crop energy power plan unveiled

Wheat energy crops could help tackle climate change

A plan to cut carbon emissions by growing energy crops has been unveiled by Scottish Power.

The company wants to burn crops such as willow or cereals instead of coal at Longannet and Cockenzie power stations.

It said 5% of its fuel could be replaced in this way but it would mean using about 12% of Scotland's agricultural land.

Scottish Power plans to grow 250,000 tonnes of crops and said burning would begin in 2009.

The company said the majority of the fuel crop would come from specialised types of cereal grains, such as wheat or barley varieties that are not edible.

It said crops could be grown on set-aside land and would not displace crops grown for food.

Farmers will be contracted to grow the green fuel.

Frank Mitchell, generation director at Scottish Power, said: "This is a significant step in our renewable energy programme ultimately displacing 300,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year."

The Scottish Executive plans to introduce a Climate Change Bill.

As part of this, Scotland will take action to tackle global warming by cutting emissions by 80% by 2050.