Local backing for carbon progress

The carbon capture plan at Longannet would be the first in the UK

Fife will be a "power-house" for modern energy generation if carbon capture plans go ahead, it has been claimed.

West Fife councillor William Walker has welcomed early indications from the UK Government that the Longannet power station proposal will proceed.

It would make it the first plant in the country to capture carbon emissions, storing them beneath the Forth estuary.

Scottish Power has been carrying out research into the plan, which would reduce the company's carbon footprint.

Mr Walker said: "This all fits in well with Scottish Power's quest to become the cleanest possible generator of electricity using coal.

"The company is already spending some £170m on flue gas desulphurisation which is another step towards the cleanest possible operation.

"Longannet has come a long way since being labelled 'the dirty man of Europe' just a few years ago."

The Scottish Government is also discussing plans to re-start deep-mining of coal in west Fife.

First Minister Alex Salmond gave his backing to a new 45MW biomass power station near Markinch which would supply energy to a paper mill and to the national grid.

Mr Walker added: "Everything is beginning to fall into place for long-term energy generation in Fife under the best environmental and economic conditions.

"With a methane gas survey and extraction project also due to start soon in the area, west Fife is now well on track to become a power-house of modern energy conversion with all that means for local, quality employment and sustainable development into the future."