Scottish MPs have written to the UK business secretary expressing “deep concern” about the future of Peterhead power station.
Banff and Buchan’s Eilidh Whiteford and Aberdeen South’s Callum McCaig – the SNP’s business and energy spokesman at Westminster – have penned a joint letter to Greg Clark asking for a commitment to address the future of the site.
In the letter, the two highlight the UK Government’s decision to abandon long awaited plans for a carbon capture and storage programme at the site.
Ms Whiteford said: “We want an assurance from Greg Clark that there is a commitment to address Peterhead’s future.
“This is of real concern to the workforce and the communities but also the knock on effect to the supply chain.
“It would be damaging and retrograde when energy generation has such enormous potential for Scotland.
“The business secretary has to look at safeguarding Peterhead’s future. It would be yet another unforgivable Tory folly not to look at all the options now.”
The letter calls for “urgent action” to protect the plant and the workforce.
The joint letter said: “Urgent action is thus needed to safeguard the future of the plant, the skilled jobs that its operation brings to the area, and as the last thermal power station it is a key component in Scotland’s energy security.
“The current uncertainty surrounding Peterhead station is in part a damning legacy of your government’s decision to scrap £1billion of support to carbon capture and storage, which was intended to create highly skilled jobs and stimulate large scale investment in the area.
“The continued operation of Peterhead power station is vital to retain jobs in the area, capture investment opportunities, and enhance Scotland’s energy production.
“At a time when the UK Government’s efforts to ensure the development of a new generation are proving unsuccessful and further closures of coal power plants are expected, it makes no sense for an existing gas plant to shut as a result of the iniquitous transmission charging regime.
“As such, we call on you and your government to exhaust all options to safeguard the future of Peterhead power station.”
A BEIS Spokesperson said: “Our modern British Industrial Strategy will build on the UK’s strengths and extend excellence into the future and ensure we are one of the most competitive places in the world to start and grow a business.
“We haven’t closed the door to Carbon Capture and Storage technology in the UK, but decisions had to be taken to control Government spending and protect consumer bills.”
