11-06-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Why does Scotland require a new fossil fuel power plant?
Friends of the Earth Scotland has said that the Peterhead project must be stopped after new environmental assessments show that lifetime pollution from the site, which includes the power station and the construction works, is set to rise from an original estimate from 2022 of 6.3m tonnes of CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent) to 17.1m tonnes.
What is the Peterhead Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project?
Peterhead is a town in north-east Scotland with an existing gas-fired power station that has been operational since the late 1980s. The current plans involve proposals to either upgrade or replace parts of the power infrastructure at Peterhead with a new fossil fuel power plant that incorporates carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
This new project is intended to be a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant powered by natural gas, designed to capture a significant portion of its CO₂ emissions and store them underground.
Campaigners call for the rejection of the plant (Image: Friends of the Earth Scotland) The Peterhead CCS project, is a collaboration between SSE Thermal and Equinor, and aims to develop a new 910 MW gas-fired power station which would have technology to remove CO₂ annually from emissions, storing it in an Acorn offshore storage site approximately 100 km off the coast. The project is part of the Scottish Cluster initiative, which seeks to establish a low-carbon industrial hub in the region.
What exactly is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)?
CCS is a technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from power plants or industrial sites before they are released into the atmosphere. The captured CO₂ is then compressed, transported, and stored deep underground in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas fields or saline aquifers.
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The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels by preventing CO₂ from contributing to climate change.
Why is this project considered controversial?
Critics argue that investing in new gas infrastructure may lock Scotland into fossil fuel reliance for decades, potentially hindering progress towards net-zero emissions.
The project has been criticised for potentially conflicting with Scotland's climate commitments, with some arguing that it may divert resources from renewable energy initiatives.
They have also questioned the legitimacy of its 'green' credentials with opponents, saying no carbon capture and storage (CCS) scheme has ever consistently trapped 90% of the carbon it creates as claimed.
Research by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, commissioned by environmental groups has questioned the effectiveness of CCS technology in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.
Critics say CCS is still costly complex and unproven at large scale.
The project has received millions in public money which some believe would be better spent on renewables and energy efficiency.
What are the potential environmental risks of CCS at Peterhead?
Opponents have warned that if stored CO₂ escapes, it could undermine climate benefits and pose risks to humans and ecosystems.
Opponents also claim injecting CO₂ underground could trigger minor earthquakes.
Long-term monitoring is required to ensure storage sites remain secure for centuries.
There are concerns offshore pipelines and injection could affect marine habitats.
What are the expected benefits of the project?
Advocates of the Peterhead CCS project say the development and construction phases are expected to support approximately 980 years of employment, with around 240 jobs sustained annually during operation.
An estimated £60 million was projected to be contributed to the Aberdeen City and shire economy during development and construction, with £25 million added annually during the operational phase.
Advocates say the plant would provide flexible, low-carbon electricity, complementing intermittent renewable sources and enhancing grid stability.
And by capturing and storing CO₂ emissions, the project aims to cut the carbon footprint of the power sector.
Energy firm SSE says the new Peterhead power station will be built so that more than 90% of the carbon it creates through burning gas can be captured and stored.
And the likes of the Dundee-born chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Prof Jim Skea, has argued that CCS has an important role to play in energy generation.
What is the current status of the project?
The Scottish Government is expected to make a final decision on the planning application at some point with consultations and environmental assessments ongoing.
