Stopping plans for a new gas burning power station at Peterhead – MSP briefing

A briefing explaining to MSPs why they must oppose plans for a new gas burning power station at Peterhead.

Briefing summary

SSE and Equinor have submitted a planning application for a new gas burning power station with carbon capture plant at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. The application is for an additional plant alongside the existing Peterhead gas burning power station.

Friends of the Earth Scotland believes the development poses a significant risk to Scotland’s legally enshrined climate and emission reduction targets and to a just transition for workers and communities.

The Peterhead power site is already Scotland’s single biggest polluter. To limit warming to 1.5°C the Scottish Government cannot allow a major source of climate emissions to get even worse.

There is no need for new gas infrastructure in Scotland. Research shows that a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy is both technically feasible and affordable with the right policy measures which makes Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) unnecessary in power generation.

Gambling on an unproven technology such as CCS to reduce our emissions puts us on the path to climate chaos. The most effective way to reduce carbon emissions is not to create them in the first place by stopping burning fossil fuels.

Workers in high polluting sectors cannot wait on speculative technologies with a track record of failure. A just transition for workers means secure, stable, well-paid jobs in fields we know will reduce our carbon emissions, such as renewables and energy efficiency, and making that transition now.

The application is now with Scottish Government Ministers for decision. Friends of the Earth Scotland urges Ministers to reject the application and focus instead on building Scotland’s renewable energy future and a just transition for workers and communities.