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New coal contract
03/07/2008
Scotland's largest ever coal supply contract has been secured in an agreement between ScottishPower and Scottish Coal over the next five years.
The contract is worth up to £700 million - depending on the amount of coal required - and it is believed will create more than 100 new jobs in the Scottish coal industry.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said:
"This Government has always believed that Scotland's significant energy strengths are key to achieving increased sustainable economic growth.
"Scotland has substantial comparative advantages in every major energy resource - including renewables but also traditional fuels such as coal.
"That's why today's announcement is so significant. It signals a bright future for Scotland's energy sector.
"This news combined with the work companies such as ScottishPower are doing to develop cutting-edge technologies like carbon capture and clean coal shows that the coal industry, one of Scotland's important indigenous fuels, will continue to be at the forefront in providing energy for generations to come.
"Clean coal, carbon capture, wind, marine renewables and hyrdo all have a key role to play as Scotland becomes one of Europe's energy powerhouses."