Pipe Center has recently supplied speciality pipework and components worth around £100,000 for upgrading work on ScottishPower's Cockenzie power station.

The 1,200 MW coal-fired plant, located eight miles from Edinburgh on the Forth Estuary, has been generating electricity since 1968.

ScottishPower is investing in work to extend its operational life, and improve efficiency and environmental performance.

The work involved upgrading pipework used for conveying pulverised fuel which powers the station. Pipe Center supplied couplings for use with 26in diameter pipework used to carry the material within the plant.

Derek Duncan, site project engineer at ScottishPower, said: "The materials were supplied over a period of time for use in an important ongoing upgrade at Cockenzie, which has been extremely successful. We were very happy with the service."

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Pipe Center is a preferred supplier for ScottishPower north of the border, supplying pipes and valves and related components for the company’s two major Scottish plants.

The order was managed by Eddie Houston, account executive at Pipe Center's Glasgow branch. Eddie said: "We have a strong working relationship with ScottishPower, and provide back-up, components and materials for ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

"Power companies understandably attach great importance to ensuring that plant operates efficiently - as it is an essential pre-requisite of the industry."

The Cockenzie project involved supply of 16in and 26in pipework, Viking Johnson 16in flange adapters drilled to 15in table D, and 16in plate flanges, machined by Flanges Ltd. It also supplied Velan piping King assemblies for use in the plant's turbine steam trap.

Cockenzie is one of Scotland's largest power stations and plays a vital role in guaranteeing the security of electricity supplies across the country.

The station, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, has a coal store capacity of around 900,000 tonnes and the full site covers some 93 hectares.

(GK/JM)