4 days Ago By STV News
Petroineos, which runs the refinery, notified staff by email that all oil refining work had ended. This means that all fuel needed in Scotland must be imported. Scotland’s only oil refinery announced it would close this summer in September last year.
The processing plant is to be transformed into an import terminal. Iain Hardie, Petroineos regional head of legal and external affairs, said: “Grangemouth refinery is no longer processing crude oil. “Petroineos has invested £50m in creating a modern import and distribution terminal capable of receiving finished fuels by sea for onward distribution to customers around the country.
From today, we will be importing all the products necessary to meet Scotland’s demand for transport fuels. “We would like to pay tribute to the workforce here. Our colleagues have shown incredible commitment, dignity and resilience during months of uncertainty regarding the future of this facility, through the consultation period, phased shutdown and the start of refinery decommissioning.
“It has been a challenging period but their professionalism has ensured security of fuel supply to our customers across Scotland and beyond.” Both the UK and Scottish governments had launched a plan to protect hundreds of jobs at the site. The multi-million-pound Project Willow study determined it needed £3.
5bn worth of private investment The landmark report published last month looked at 300 potential projects that could ensure the future of Scotland’s largest industrial site, identifying nine that were “credible”. The UK Government is offering £200m and the Scottish Government is backing it with £25m. However, the plans would only create about 1,100 jobs – around half the number of posts at risk from the closure of the refinery.
Initial interest in the rescue plan has been “above expectations”, deputy first minister Kate Forbes said earlier this month. “Both Scottish Enterprise and site owners Petroineos have confirmed that they’ve received numerous expressions of interest from numerous parties,” Forbes said. Project Willow comes months after the refinery, operated by Petroineos, announced its closure and plans to convert into a fuel import and export terminal.
Petroineos claimed the changes were due to a continuing decline in profitability and the need for substantial new investment to keep the refinery running. In response, the UK and Scottish Governments have been working with Petroineos and its shareholders to ensure a long-term future for the site. The Project Willow feasibility report provides nine “credible” proposals likely to attract private investment, including plastics recycling, hydrogen production and other projects that could create up to 1,090 jobs by 2040.
The UK and Scottish governments say efforts will now focus on identifying partners and investors who, in collaboration, can bring these projects to life. Get all the latest news from around the country Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country.
