First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to Prime Minister David Cameron to demand action to protect Scotland’s energy supply.
The SNP leader called on the UK Government to order a study of the electricity capacity north of the border, and devolve powers over reliability standards to Holyrood.
She made the move amid reports that the future of the coal-fired power station at Longannet in Fife was in doubt.
Scottish Power, which operates the plant, warned last year that the cost of connecting to the grid meant the station may close earlier than planned.
Ms Sturgeon said the energy reserves were being “undermined progressively” by high transmission charges that penalise generators based in Scotland, and the absence of dedicated analysis and a separate reliability standard for Scotland.
The Press and Journal has been running a campaign to end a regional pricing system that leaves consumers in the north and north-east of Scotland paying hundreds of pounds extra a year because of transmission costs.
Ms Sturgeon said: “It was clear from the meeting of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board today that industry experts are concerned about security of supply in Scotland and across the UK, and for the continued maintenance of electricity supplies in a robust manor.
“These issues need to be assessed and that is why I am calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to act.
“It is vital that the UK Government fulfils its statutory responsibility to monitor security of supply issues and does so in an open and transparent way. The actions we have proposed would enable proper public scrutiny of the situation in Scotland.”
On Longannet’s future, local Labour MP Thomas Docherty said: “This is obviously a very worrying time for the station’s workforce and their families.
“Longannet is the largest single employer at the western end of west Fife and the early cessation of generation would clearly have a huge impact on Kincardine and the surrounding villages.
“I have been in contact with Scottish Power and the National Grid and have urged them to get back round the table. I am also in dialogue with the UK Government to make sure no stone is left unturned.”