The heating system at a flagship superjail is to be replaced – less than two years after the £150million facility was built.
HMP Grampian has been hit by a string of controversies since it opened in Spring 2014.
Now prison chiefs have called for the prison’s developer, Skanska, to refund an inefficient biomass plant so a traditional gas boiler plant can be installed instead.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has put the plan out to tender, and a site visit for potential contractors has been set for Monday.
Last night, SPS spokesman, Tom Fox, said: “It’s the replacement of a biomass boiler to a gas boiler, to improve the efficiency of the heating system there. The fuel source is being changed to make the energy even more efficient.
“We will recoup sufficient monies from the developer to build the replacement.
“We have a fair idea of how much it will cost, and we are confident we will recoup sufficient sums to cover the costs.”
North-east MSP and Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman, Alison McInnes, called the need to replace the boiler “unacceptable”.
She said: “It is very disappointing that the biomass boiler at the new prison is having to be replaced by a gas boiler. The prison only opened in March last year.
“The biomass boiler was designed to distribute heat to the six separate blocks and now it has been found not to be up to the job.”
Mrs McInnes added: “I am relieved that the prison service hopes to recoup the cost, but this should not have happened in the first place.”
Swedish firm Skanska – who describe themselves as the fifth largest construction company in the world – were awarded the contract to build HMP Grampian in 2011.
The company was responsible for the structural and civil design work as well as the installation of mechanical and electrical services.
Skanska did not respond to requests for comment last night.