ScottishPower customers can now use electricity generated in the Year 2000 following the successful advancement of the clocks at all of its major power generating plants. This includes its flagship Longannet power station, the largest in Scotland and is all part of the company's Year 2000 preparations.

Eric Golland, Managing Director of ScottishPower's Generation business, said: "All our major power generating plants had already gone through months of rigorous inventory, assessment and testing as part our Y2K programme and we are delighted that everything has operated successfully during this critical rollover test.

"We hope that this will help give our customers the same confidence we have about the extent and reliability of our preparations for the Year 2000."

These are part of ScottishPower's significant investment to address the Y2K issue.

ScottishPower has gained 100% Blue rating from the government's Action 2000 office, indicating that that all critical systems directly linked to the supply of electricity, telecommunications or water have been checked and tested and that no risks of material disruption have been identified.

ScottishPower has conducted a comprehensive, systematic programme to prepare for the Year 2000 and has dedicated significant resources and manpower to the project. The company has also worked closely with other utilities across the UK and is part of a number of external industry bodies, such as The UK Utilities Forum, Telecommunications Operators Forum and the Scottish Utilities Y2K Forum.

Jim McCaffery, ScottishPower's Year 2000 Programme Manager, added: "We are now generating Year 2000 electricity and we would like our customers to know we have made and continue to make every reasonable effort to provide them with the best possible service on the 1st January 2000 and beyond."

Note to Editors: The 2400 MW Longannet Power Station in Fife is one of Europe's largest coal-fired stations. It was officially opened in 1973 and substantial investment by ScottishPower has extended its planned operating life to the year 2020. Longannet is one of the most efficient and environmentally committed in the UK. It pioneered gas overfiring and the installation of low-Nox burners to reduce emission levels.