Our Sites
Cockenzie Power Station / Cockenzie Environmental Management
Emissions and Waste Management
Cockenzie operates a Low NOx Burner on one unit to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and is also introducing Boosted Overfire Air (BOFA) techniques to reduce NOx.
The station has opted out of the requirement to fit environmental technology to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions and will close in the next couple of years under conditions laid down in the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive and will close by the end of 2015.
Minimisation, management, segregation and recycling systems are in place for most other wastes generated at the station, from oil, metal and wood, to paper.
Biodiversity
Cockenzie launched its Biodiversity Action Plan in 2005, with the help of more than 100 local residents who turned out to plant trees and shrubs along the station’s boundary wall.
Habitat creation is a key part of Cockenzie’s plan, creating wildflower meadows, scrub and woodland.
The station co-sponsors a Countryside Ranger along with East Lothian Council to promote biodiversity at its Musselburgh Ash Lagoons. The lagoons, which include wader scrapes have been described as one of the best places to watch birds in Scotland.
Performance - 2008
- Commenced installation of Boosted Overfire Air (BOFA) technology on all four units to reduce emissions of NOx
- Invested £1.2 million over two years to reduce air ingress to the boilers, improving efficiency and helping to reduce NOx and CO2 emissions
- Installed a new water management system, which helped to identify leaks that subsequently were repaired, saving water
- Continued to support the creation of community woodland on 25 acres of land
| . | 2008 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Energy generated (GWh) | 4825 (126 from biomass) | 5939 (117 from biomass) |
| CO2/GWh (tonnes, as reported to SPRI) | 919 | 909 |
| NOx (tonnes, per GWh) | 2.70 | 3.71 |
| SO2 (tonnes per GWh) | 3.26 | 3.48 |
| Dust (tonnes per GWh) | 0.09 | 0.27 |
The amount of electricity generated at Cockenzie was less in 2008, as Cockenzie stopped base load operation (running continuously) to two shifting (switching on and off to meet peaks in demand).
Emissions figures for 2008 were based on continuous emissions monitoring using instrumentation that is independently certified. Previously emissions figures reported were based on calculations using agreed site specific factors.