Clarification sought over timing of plant shutdown

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is being asked to clarify whether input was sought from the Scottish farming industry over its decision to shut down a major gas terminal for 3 weeks during summer.

St Fergus Gas Terminal will shut the pipeline to Fife for three weeks from 25 August 2012 with alternative supplies during this period only available from refineries in England at an extra cost of between 2.5 and 5ppl.

SNP agriculture spokesperson and MP met with farmers at Turriff Show in her constituency this week where concern was voiced that this will coincide with grain-drying operations when peak-demand from farmers will be reached, adding extra costs to what is already likely to be a more expensive process due to the wet summer.

“I’ve been in communication with senior management at St Fergus and the distributors, Avanti Gas. It seems that the date for this shutdown, which is for essential work to be carried out and only the third total shutdown in the plant’s history, was agreed with DECC in January 2011" said the MP.

“The question which must be asked now is, did DECC seek the views of the Scottish farming industry in reaching a decision on this date?"

“While summer may be an obvious time to shutdown as it means a low demand from domestic gas users, shifting the closed period by only a few weeks would have made a big difference to Scottish farmers, who are now facing increased costs as a result."

“I’ll be raising the issue with the UK Energy Minister to ensure that the agriculture industry is consulted on any such future plans.”