Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what modelling of security of electricity supply in Scotland has been undertaken by the (a) Government and (b) National Grid in relation to the potential closure of Longannet power station.

National Grid continually assess the risks to security of supply across Great Britain, including in Scotland, and are confident they have the tools to address any issues, including Longannet and other fossil-fuelled plant closing.

Even excluding unabated coal, which all major national parties have committed to close, Scotland has extensive and diverse electricity production including a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine plant at Peterhead which is investing in Carbon Capture and Storage; two nuclear power stations; onshore and offshore wind; and pumped storage. Scotland also gains increased security of supply from integration within the British energy market so that the full diversity of generators in England and Wales can also supply Scotland.

In terms of modelling the security of electricity supply, the Government and National Grid assess there will be enough generation to meet demand and maintain system stability in Scotland even if one or more major fossil fuelled plant closes. National Grid, Scottish Power Transmission and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (the system operator and the transmission owners in Scotland) provide analysis and advice to Government. They have stress tested 140 scenarios in which Longannet and other Scottish fossil fuelled generators closed. National Grid has the tools to secure supplies even the toughest system conditions, and the network is resilient against 1 in 600 year risks.

National Grid published the advice that it provided to my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Scottish government on this issue on their website last week:

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Services/Balancing-services/System-security/Transmission-Constraint-Management/Transmission-Constraint-Management-Information/.