ScottishPower's PacifiCorp subsidiary has been granted approval by the Utah Public Service Commission (UPSC) to begin construction of a new 525 MW gas-fired power plant, 75 miles south of Salt Lake City.

The UPSC said: "The Currant Creek power project addresses a genuine need for additional resource in the summer of 2005. Further, we find reasonable, the type and size of generation facility proposed to address the projected need."

The cost of the plant is expected to be approximately $350 million and is designed to be on-line in two phases: 280 MW in 2005 and an additional 245 MW in 2006.

PacifiCorp Chief Executive Judi Johansen said: "We are pleased with this ruling. We can now turn our attention to completing the air quality permitting, which has been in process concurrently."

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Colin McSeveny    Group Media Relations Manager      0141 636 4515