MORE than 13,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Scottish Government to reject plans for a new gas burning power station in Peterhead.
Energy company SSE and fossil fuel giant Equinor have proposed building an additional facility next to their existing gas-fired plant at Peterhead Power Station.
If approved, the plant would be in operation by 2027 and running for decades to come.
Equinor state that they would also seek to implement carbon capture technology at the new plant, although there is currently no timeframe proposed for when this would happen.
But a petition hosted by Friends of the Earth Scotland and 350.org calling on the Scottish Government to reject the plans has been signed by more than 13,000 people.
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The petition was handed to the Scottish Government at St Andrews House in Edinburgh on Monday.
“The Scottish Government is already failing on its climate targets, but instead of stepping up and taking climate action, it is considering approving this hugely polluting new power station,” said Freya Aitchison, an oil and gas campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland.
“Another gas plant at Peterhead will increase climate-wrecking emissions and keep the Scottish public locked into sky-high energy bills for decades to come.
"Thousands of people are supporting this campaign and telling ministers to reject this controversial development and instead focus on the solutions that we know work, such as publicly owned renewable energy.
Tommy Vickerstaff of 350.org added: "Increasing the investment and capacity of Scotland's number one polluter is dangerous and unnecessary.
“We urge the Scottish government to reject these obsolete proposals and instead fund and support incredible renewable energy opportunities that are waiting to be unlocked across Scotland.
“Guaranteed retraining and support for Scotland’s existing oil and gas workers must also be part of these investments.
A spokesperson for SSE Thermal 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. Once operational, Peterhead Carbon Capture Power Station will help to keep the lights on, facilitate the transition to net zero, and retain and create good jobs in the region.
"The need to decarbonise is urgent and vital, but we need to do so while keeping the lights on, or we will lose the social mandate for the transition.”
The Scottish Government has previously stated it's commitment to reaching net zero in Scotland by 2045.
However, it does not comment on live planning applications.
Equinor have been contacted for comment.
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