The decision was reached after close consultation between ScottishPower, East Lothian Council and Police Scotland.

The demolition will be overseen by ScottishPower’s main contractor, Brown and Mason, who have undertaken similar projects in recent years at Inverkip Power Station and Methil Power Station.

An exclusion zone will be set up and people wanting to watch the demolition will have to go to special viewing areas. More details will be released nearer the time.

The twin chimney stacks are both 149 metres tall, and were constructed in time for the coal station opening in 1967. Cockenzie Power Station generated more than 150 Terawatt Hours (TWh) of electricity in its lifetime, enough to power the average annual electricity needs of more than 1 million homes every year during its 45 years of operation.

George Camps, ScottishPower project manager, said: “A lot of detailed planning is required to carry out a major demolition on this scale. This involves close co-operation with both East Lothian Council and Police Scotland, in order to ensure that we can carry out the work safely. We will also keep the local community groups and businesses fully informed as we are able to release further details of the event.”

East Lothian Council leader, Willie Innes, said: “The demolition of the Cockenzie chimneys carries mixed emotions for many local residents who have lived and worked in their shadows and consider the structures as a landmark within their community. However, the demolition will also signify a new start for the area and the council is encouraged by interest shown in new economic opportunities for the site.”

WWF Scotland said the demolition will mark “an important milestone in Scotland’s transition to a renewable energy future”.

Director Lang Banks said: “The power plant served Scotland well for many years, but renewables now generate the majority of Scotland’s electricity needs helping us to avoid million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

“As we move ever closer to a 100 per cent renewable future we need to make sure Scotland maximises the job and economic opportunities that come from cleaning up our power sector.”

Plans were revealed in April for a £300 million purpose-built cruise ship terminal on the site of the decommissioned power station.