Climate protest in Perth city centre over SSE plans for fossil fuel plant
Climate campaigners targeted energy company SSE's Perth AGM last week over plans to build a new fossil fuel power station with protests inside and outside the meeting.
Activist shareholders inside the event questioned the company's Board, challenging them over their recent admission that the proposed new gas burning power station at Peterhead would be three times more damaging to the climate than originally claimed.
SSE bosses were grilled over the failures of carbon capture technology on which the plant relies, as well as the increasing pollution that will be caused by gas imports as North Sea production declines.
A crowd outside the Perth Concert Hall protested the revelation that total emissions created by the fossil fuel project would rise from 6.3 million tonnes to 17.1 million tonnes.
SSE was recently forced to redo its climate calculations after earlier assessments failed to include the inevitable pollution from extracting and transporting the gas to be burned at the Peterhead site.
Over 30 climate groups and 1600 individuals recently responded to the public consultation on the new pollution figures calling for the project to be rejected.
Adrian Johnson, one of the activists asking questions inside the AGM, said: 'I'm a grandad and former deputy headteacher. Climate science couldn't be clearer that we desperately need to end the use of fossil fuels.
'That's why I went to the SSE AGM - to call out the boss, the leadership and board of this energy giant for plotting to shackle my future and that of my grandchildren to murderous fossil fuels for decades to come.'
Protesters outside spoke to shareholders attending the AGM urging them to also challenge the company's plans to continue using fossil fuels to generate electricity, which would link energy bills to volatile international gas prices.
SSE made £2.4billion in profits last year whilst a third of Scottish households were trapped into fuel poverty.
SSE's existing power station in Peterhead is already amongst Scotland's biggest polluters with the company confirming that it will continue burning gas until 2040.
The proposals for an additional gas plant will run until 2055, well past Scotland's net zero target date.
Friends of the Earth Scotland highlighted the fact that, despite the company's marketing and green image, 57% of SSE's energy generation output comes from non-renewable sources.
SSE also announced recently that it would scale back its renewables investment by £3billion.
Friends of the Earth Scotland oil and gas activism organiser Freya Aitchison commented: 'People concerned about climate and fuel poverty have been consistently protesting SSE's plans to build a new power station in Peterhead.
'SSE bosses and shareholders are cashing in on the cost-of-living crisis, keeping us locked into volatile gas prices and high energy bills, while accelerating climate breakdown by burning fossil fuels.
A spokesperson for SSE said: 'SSE respects the right to peaceful protest and remains committed to constructive engagement with all stakeholders. 'We're constructing the world's largest offshore wind farm and have plans to build a grid to support more electrification and clean power in Scotland.
'Scotland also needs flexible generation during the energy transition, that's why building a more efficient plant at Peterhead and capturing carbon from it is crucial to keeping the lights on.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Keir Starmer & John Swinney face difficult ‘balancing act' after Donald Trump admits he's in a grumpy mood
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIR Keir Starmer and John Swinney face a difficult 'balancing act' in talks with Donald Trump - after the US President admitted he was in a grumpy mood. The Prime Minister will fly to Scotland on Monday morning to meet Mr Trump at his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire for a 'wide-ranging' summit on issues including trade and the Israel-Hamas war. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Donald Trump is 'not in a good mood' before summit 3 The Prime Minister and First Minister are set to meet with the US President 3 He made the admission after he striking an EU trade deal Later, the PM and the First Minister will attend a banquet-style dinner hosted by the US leader in the north-east, ahead of him opening a new 18-hole golf course in honour of his late Scottish mother, Mary Anne Macleod, at Menie, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday. But despite striking an EU trade deal, the unpredictable US President admitted he was 'not in a good mood' after a hectic weekend at Turnberry, where he juggled two rounds of golf with family time, presidential business, and a flurry of social media blasts taking aim at rivals back home. A senior SNP insider admitted that today's multiple summits - including an expected one-to-one between Mr Trump and Mr Swinney in the north-east - amounted to 'a difficult balancing act for everyone', with both the PM and FM expected to try to pressure Mr Trump on thorny issues including trade tariffs and reviving stalled Gaza peace talks. Speaking in the first of two press conferences with White House reporters, journalists suggested he seemed in a good mood. But Mr Trump replied: 'I'm actually not in a good mood' - prompting a nervous smile and a raised eyebrow from Ms von der Leyen. The President insisted it was nothing to do with imminent talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and asked why he was in a bad mood and if it was to do with his latest golf round, Mr Trump said: 'No, the golf was beautiful. Golf can never be bad.' But minutes later, a tetchy-sounding President launched into another of his trademark attacks on windfarms, which he famously battled against - in vain - off the Aberdeenshire coast. In a two-and-half minute blast, he claimed he would 'not allow a windmill to be built in the US' as 'they're killing the beauty of our scenery, our valleys, our beautiful planes - and I'm not talking about aeroplanes, I'm talking about beautiful planes, beautiful areas in the US'. He said 'almost all' were made in China and 'when they start to rust and rot in eight years, you can't really turn them off, you can't bury them'. Mr Trump said windmills 'kill the birds' and said: 'You have a certain place in the Massachusetts area that over the last 20 years had one or two whales wash ashore .. cause it's driving them loco. It's driving them crazy.' TRUMP V WINDMILLS Slamming windfarms off the Ayrshire coast, he said 'I mean, today, I'm playing the best course I think in the world, Turnberry - even though I own it, it's probably the best course in the world, right - and I look over the horizon and I see nine windmills right at the end of the 18th hole. 'And I said, 'Isn't that a shame? What a shame.' UK and Scottish government aides are known to be on edge about today's talks with Mr Trump, which will take place between the PM and President at Turnberry, before the pair fly together to Aberdeen, where Mr Swinney will then meet the US leader. All three will then attend a private ceremonial dinner said to involve a 'broad range' of guests including politicians and business figures. Sir Keir is under intense pressure from Labour backbenchers and opposition parties including the SNP to push Mr Trump for the US to revive Gaza ceasefire talks, and also to further the recent UK-US trade deal by pressuring for the removal of punishing ten per cent tariffs on products including Scotch whisky. And Mr Swinney is under fire from left-wingers in the SNP and at Holyrood for even meeting with Mr Trump. The First Minister was blasted by critics at the weekend for announcing £180,000 to help Mr Trump's Menie course to host a golf comp, which wannabe Greens leader Ross Greer claimed was like 'bending the knee' to the US President or 'giving the school bully your lunch money'. A senior Nats source defended Mr Swinney's approach, with the Tories also accusing him of hypocrisy after claims he had last wee 'whipped up' anti-Trump protests, but was now trying to curry favour with the world's most powerful man. The insider said 'There will be complaints about our approach to Trump whatever we do. 'The funding for the event at Trump International Golf Links was a positive announcement and it's our job to make the best of this visit as we possibly can.' Tomorrow morning Mr Trump will carry out the ceremonial opening of the Macleod course at his Menie estate, which it emerged on Saturday was set to get £180,000 from the Scottish Government's tourism and events organisation, VisitScotland, to support its hosting of the 2025 Nexo Championship next month. Police lock down Scots country park and beach ahead of Donald Trump's arrival HOLIDAYMAKERS have been ordered to leave a country park boasting one of Scotland's best beaches as police prepared for Donald Trump's visit to his nearby golf course. Visitors were told to vacate the beauty spot as security is beefed up ahead of US president's trip to his neighbouring Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire tomorrow. Officers locked down Balmedie Country Park and its coastal stretch — which has won 20 awards for the quality of its sand and water. Locals have vowed to protest after the Scottish Government announced a tournament held at his Trump International resort is being given £180,000 of taxpayers' cash. An onlooker said: 'Police were shutting off the beach and the park. 'It's one of the country's best and we're in the middle of the school holidays. 'Trump doesn't own it so it feels ridiculous that people who live here are being told to leave. "Loads of people were told to go. 'Is it any wonder most people around here hate him so much?' Downing Street last night said Mr Trump and Sir Keir are expected to discuss progress on implementing the UK-US trade deal agreed in May, hopes for a ceasefire in the Middle East and applying pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. It comes amid pressure on Starmer from Labour MPs to urge the US to rejoin Israel-Hamas peace talks, amid the starvation of kids in Gaza. No10 said in a statement that the 'strength of the UK-US relationship will be on display again' as the PM meets Mr Trump in 'for wide-ranging talks'. It said: 'The leaders are expected to talk one-on-one about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that Brits and Americans can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries. 'The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the President's administration working with partners in Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. 'Mr Trump's visit comes amid mounting global anger over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Police lock down Scots country park and beach ahead of Donald Trump's arrival Foreign Secretary David Lammy said access to aid in Gaza must be 'urgently accelerated', after air drops by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates yesterday. It came hours after Israel opened up aid corridors and 'refuted' the 'false claim of intentional starvation'. Mr Swinney said: 'My meeting with the US President during his visit to Scotland presents a significant opportunity to speak up for the issues that matter to people in Scotland on the highest platform. Global, humanitarian issues are rightly at the forefront of many people's minds. 'It is of utmost importance that we discuss what action can be taken to end the horrific suffering we are witnessing around the world, particularly the unimaginable hardship being endured by people in Gaza and the need for an urgent ceasefire. 'Both the US President and I share a fundamental desire to build peace across the world and to end the suffering endured by so many. I hope that our discussion helps to further that aim.' Mr Trump will visit the UK again in September for the official state visit announced earlier this year. But a senior whisky industry source warned: 'If the PM comes away from the Trump visit with nothing more on trade there will be serious questions to answer about whether he really fought as hard as possible for Scotland and the UK's interests, or if he just went there and tried not to upset Trump.'
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Trump agrees US-EU trade deal avoiding tariff war in Turnberry talks with Von der Leyen
A deal was struck after European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen met with the US President at his golf resort in South Ayrshire. Donald Trump has announced a huge trade deal with the European Union worth more than $1.35 trillion (£1.05 trillion) after meeting European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire. The former US President said the agreement, struck during Von der Leyen's visit today, will see the EU buy $750bn of American energy and invest a further $600bn into the US economy. Trump told reporters: 'The European Union is going to agree to purchase from the United States $750 billion worth of energy. 'They are going to agree to invest into the United States $600 billion more than they're investing already. So they're investing a large amount of money. 'You know what that amount of money is, it's very substantial.' He added that all EU countries had agreed to open up their markets for zero-tariff trade with the US and to purchase 'a vast amount of military equipment,' calling the deal 'bigger than any other deal', reports the Mirror. Trump also revealed both sides had agreed to a 'straight across' 15% tariff on cars. 'I think that basically concludes the deal,' he said. Von der Leyen said the US and EU remain the world's biggest trading partners and described the talks as an attempt to 'rebalance' the multi-trillion-dollar relationship. Calling Trump 'a tough negotiator and dealmaker,' she added: 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Trump described hosting Von der Leyen at his Scottish resort as 'an honour' and repeated his long-standing concerns about 'unfair' trade with Europe, warning that without an agreement, the US had been ready to impose 30% tariffs on EU imports. The agreement follows months of tense negotiations, with both sides previously threatening retaliatory tariffs on goods ranging from European cars and cheese to American beer and aircraft.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Donald Trump agrees trade deal between US and EU avoiding huge tariff war
Donald Trump and European Commission chief Ursula Von der Leyen have agreed a trade deal between the US and the EU, it ha been reported. They are said to have struck the deal today, as Ms Von Der Leyen visited the US President at his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland. After less than an hour of talks, the two leaders went before cameras and announced the deal. "The European Union is going to agree to purchase form the United States $750 billion worth of energy," Trump said. "They are going to agree to invest into the United States $600 billion more than they're investing already. So they're investing a large amount of money. "You know what that amount of money is, it's very substantial." He went on: "They're agreeing to open up their countries for trade at zero tariff. So that's a very big factor. All of the countries will be opened up to the United States at zero tariff. "And they're agreeing to purchase a vast amount of military equipment. We don't know what that number is but the good news is we make the best military equipment in the world." Trump said they'd also agreed to a "straight across" tariff of 15% on automobiles. "I think that basically concludes the deal," he said. "Those are the main factors. I don't think there are too many other factors." The Commission's President was seated next to Trump at his golf resort on the Scottish coast. Earlier she had called for a rebalancing of bilateral trade worth billions of dollars between the vital partners. Speaking to reporters before their private meeting began, she and Trump both put the chances of reaching an agreement at 50-50. 'This is bigger than any other deal,' Trump said, suggesting they could hammer out an agreement in just a short time. The president also pledged to change what he characterized as 'a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States.' "I think both sides want to see fairness,' Trump said. Von der Leyen said the US and EU combined have the world's largest trade volume, encompassing hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars. Trump said the stakes involved meant of making a deal, 'We should give it a shot.' Von der Leyen said Trump was 'known as a tough negotiator and dealmaker' which caused the president to interject with 'but fair." She said that, if they are successful, 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.' Trump called meeting with von der Leyen at his Turnberry golf course — where he played in the morning, an honor. 'I think the main sticking point is fairness,' he said while also noting, 'We've had a hard time with trade with Europe, a very hard time." For months, Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in hopes of shrinking major U.S. trade deficits with many key trading partners. More recently, he's hinted that any deal with the EU would have to 'buy down' the currently scheduled tariff rate of 30%. During remarks before the media Sunday, the president pointed to a recent US agreement with Japan that set tariff rates for many goods at 15% and suggested the EU could agree to something similar. Asked if he would be willing to accept tariff rates lower than that, Trump said 'no.' "I'd like to see it resolved,' Trump said of a deal with Europe. 'But if it isn't, we'll have tariffs.' Of retaliation from Europe he said, 'They'll do what they have to do.' Joining von der Leyen were Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief trade negotiator; Björn Seibert, the head of von der Leyen's Cabinet; Sabine Weyand, the commission's directorate-general for trade, and Tomas Baert, head of the trade and agriculture at the EU's delegation to the U.S. The US and EU seemed close to a deal earlier this month, but Trump instead threatened the 30% tariff rate. The deadline for the Trump administration to begin imposing tariffs has shifted in recent weeks but is now firm, the administration insists. 'No extensions, no more grace periods. Aug. 1, the tariffs are set, they'll go into place, Customs will start collecting the money and off we go," US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told 'Fox News Sunday.' He added, however, that even after that 'people can still talk to President Trump. I mean, he's always willing to listen.' Lutnick said the EU 'needs to make a deal and wants to make a deal and they are flying to Scotland to make a deal with President Trump. The question is do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off of the 30% tariffs that he set.' Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. CLICK HERE TO JOIN Without an agreement, the EU said it would have been prepared to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, ranging from beef and auto parts to beer and Boeing airplanes. Had Trump eventually made good on his threat of tariffs against Europe, it could make everything from French cheese and Italian leather goods to German electronics and Spanish pharmaceuticals more expensive in the United States. The US and Britain, meanwhile, announced a trade framework in May and a larger agreement last month during the Group of Seven meeting in Canada. Trump says that deal is concluded and that he and Starmer will discuss other matters — though the White House has suggested it still needs some polishing.
