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SNP government facing complaints over handling of Peterhead power station plans

Friends of the Earth Scotland has written to First Minister John Swinney alleging 28 separate breaches of the ministerial code. 

The new gas power station would be built next to the existing plant in Peterhead. Image: Supplied.
The new gas power station would be built next to the existing plant in Peterhead. Image: Supplied.

Climate campaigners have lodged a complaint over the Scottish Government’s handling of plans for a controversial new gas power station in Peterhead.

Friends of the Earth Scotland say John Swinney and other ministers have treated the plans from SSE and Norwegian oil giant Equinor as a “foregone conclusion”.

The companies say their plans for a new gas power station and carbon capture facility will ultimately replace an existing plant and slash emissions.

But the SNP has come under pressure to reject the plans for the “polluting project”.

What are the complaints?

The campaigning charity has written to First Minister John Swinney alleging 28 separate breaches of the ministerial code.

They point to meetings between ministers and developers not being properly recorded and ministers meeting with the developers but not the objectors.

Friends of the Earth Scotland also claim several statements from ministers could have prejudiced the planning process.

Extinction Rebellion protestors blockade the entrance to Peterhead Power Station in June 2021, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.
Extinction Rebellion protestors blockade the entrance to Peterhead Power Station in June 2021, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow. Image: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson.

This includes former first minister Humza Yousaf saying he was “really impressed” with the site’s future plans during a visit to Peterhead last year.

Friends of the Earth Scotland climate campaigner Alex Lee said: “These 28 breaches of the ministerial code show a deeply troubling pattern of behaviour right across the Scottish Government.

“Public concerns have been deliberately ignored to try and push through a climate damaging planning application in the interests of greedy energy companies.

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf during his tour of Peterhead Power Station, Aberdeenshire in July 2023.
Former First Minister Humza Yousaf during his tour of Peterhead Power Station, Aberdeenshire in July 2023. Image: PA.

“Ministers and civil servants have been caught out playing fast and loose with the rules, in favour of a polluting project that risks locking households into higher energy bills for decades to come.

“Our investigations show that the Scottish Government has treated the outcome of this planning application as a foregone conclusion right from the beginning and has failed to follow the planning process and assess the evidence objectively.”

SSE back plans

SSE and Equinor submitted the planning application for the new site in February 2022 and it is still under consideration by the Scottish Government.

The ministerial code, a collection of standards that must be adhered to, sets out how ministers should act in the handling of planning applications.

It states that ministers “must do nothing which might be seen to be prejudicial to that process”, including by meeting developers to discuss a proposal but not meeting all interested parties.

Peterhead Power Station.
Peterhead Power Station. Image: Supplied.

An SSE spokeswoman said: “The Climate Change Committee, UK Government, and Scottish Government are all clear – some carbon capture will be an essential part of the technology mix needed to deliver net zero.

“As Scotland’s only large-scale flexible power station, decarbonising Peterhead is critical, and the proposed new station will provide vital low-carbon flexible backup to enable more renewables and to help heavy industry decarbonise.

“As set out in the planning application, the new power station would utilise carbon capture from the outset – ensuring the vast majority of emissions do not enter the atmosphere.”

Decision made ‘in due course’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Any claim suggesting Scottish ministers have reached a decision on the planning application for a new power station at Peterhead is simply untrue.

“A decision will be taken by ministers in due course, following consideration of the application information, consultation responses and representations made by members of the public.

“The Scottish Government has yet to receive any official correspondence on this matter. When received, we will consider any complaint in line with usual practice.

“It would not be appropriate to comment on a live planning application.”

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