The twin chimney stacks and turbine hall of Cockenzie Power Station have been demolished, ScottishPower has announced.

The first controlled explosive demolition of the 149m twin chimneys took place at 12pm on Saturday, 26 September.

A second explosion levelled the turbine hall structure shortly afterwards.

The boiler house is now the last remaining structure at the power station. It will be destroyed later this winter.

-- Advertisement --

Over 160kg of nitro glycerine based explosives were used to bring down the chimney stacks.

Approximately 1,500 charge holes were drilled into each chimney, with the explosives designed to blow out the base of the chimneys so the structures fell towards each other.

Both chimneys were demolished simultaneously and impacted approximately 140m in the air.

The 220m long turbine hall was destroyed by 120kg of explosives which were attached to 19 major box columns.

Overall, 4,000m of shock tube was used on the project.

Hugh Finlay, ScottishPower Generation Director, said: "The demolition team have been working towards this day for two years, and it was fantastic to see all of our detailed preparations and calculations culminate in such a dramatic event. Comprehensive planning and consultation ensured the event could be managed safely."

(LM/CD)