ScottishPower has outlined the timetable for demolition works at Methil Power Station in Fife, following the appointment of Brown and Mason as the principal contractor for the job. The energy company has recently completed preparation works at the site, and now the removal of the main buildings and chimney will commence this month, with work expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

Located on the southern side of the mouth of the River Leven, Methil Power Station was a 60 megawatt coal slurry-fired station. It became operational in 1965 and was one of only a few stations in the UK designed to run on ‘waste coal’. The waste coal, also known as ‘washings’, was transported to the station by road and rail from surrounding coalfields. In 2000 Methil stopped electricity generation but was kept as part of ScottishPower’s strategic reserve.

Over the lifetime of the station, it is estimated that it produced enough electricity to power more than 3.5 million homes and employed over 1000 people.

The station is situated on land owned by Forth Ports. ScottishPower’s lease of the land ends in 2012, when it will be returned to Forth Ports who will determine its future use.

Dylan Hughes, Project Manager at ScottishPower, said: “This work will mark the end of an era for the Methil skyline, with the removal of the prominent 300ft chimney stack. We understand that the chimney is used as a marker for fans traveling to the nearby Bayview Stadium to take in an East Fife game, so there might be a spike in the sales of sat-nav devices to second division football fans.

“The aim of our work is to remove all of the buildings and structures associated with the power station and to leave the land in good condition so there will be future development opportunities when it is returned to the landowner Forth Ports.”

The work to demolish the chimney stack is due to take place in the late part of 2010.

Notes to Editors:

• The project also involves Atkins as ‘Owners Engineer’ to assist with the tender process and to supervise the works on behalf of ScottishPower.

Media Information: Paul Ferguson, 0141 566 4515 / 07702 665 924