(NEW SCOTSMAN) - PLANS for a new £3 billion coal-fired power station in Scotland will be lodged tomorrow, prompting warnings of mass protests by green groups.

Ayrshire Power infuriated environmental organisations yesterday when confirming its intention to build a new coal plant at Hunterston in Ayrshire.

A leading Scottish environmentalist predicted this could spark “the next Kings-north” – comparing it with E.on’s plans for a coal-fired station in Kent that led to protests in 2008, which led to the project being put on hold until at least 2016.

There had been speculation Peel Energy, the owner of Ayrshire Power, would scrap plans for a new £3bn coal-fire plant in Scotland after key backer Danish firm Dong Energy pulled out last year, citing the recession.