The Scottish Power owned plant powered down after 45 years of generation at about 8:30am this morning.
Scottish Power opted out of the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) in 2008 and has used up its allocation of 20,000 hours of operation.
The power station, designed by Sir Robert Matthew (who also designed Edinburgh Airport and the Royal Commonwealth Pool) originally had a capacity of 1,200 MW, but this was reduced to 550MW in April 2011 to help manage its remaining LCPD hours.
Many of the 100 members of staff at Cockenzie will be moved to other power stations or other business areas within Scottish Power, whilst others have opted to take retirement or a severance package.
Neil Clitheroe, Scottish Power’s CEO of energy retail and generation, said: “It is the end of an era for Scottish Power and for the people at Cockenzie Power Station, who I would like to thank for all their hard work and commitment over the last 45 years.”
Scottish Power does have planning permission for a new 1,000 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine plant to be located on the existing site, but the utility is evaluating its options.
Clitheroe said they are “unable to commit” until they receive clarity from the government on a capacity mechanism.