Campaigners condemn 'job-cutting' Peterhead gas plant plans

SSE said the power station would support 50 roles during its expected 25-year operational phase, compared to the 80 full-time jobs at the existing plant.

Its estimates suggest 75 per cent of the construction jobs needed for the new plant will go to people outside of the Aberdeenshire area.

Friends of the Earth Scotland, which opposes the new plant, said the figures “fly in the face” of claims carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology will create jobs as part of a just transition.

But SSE said the project would support around 1,000 jobs at its peak during construction, while both plants would be expected to operate simultaneously for a period of time.

READ MORE: SSE 'shamed' into re-examining climate risk of controversial Peterhead gas power station

It also said the project would enable continued supply chain support for the local area and wider country, as well as the development of local trainees and apprentices.

Rosie Hampton, FoE Scotland’s oil and gas campaigns manager, said: “It is absolutely shocking that the proposed new Peterhead power station would mean job cuts for those working at the existing plant.

“This revelation flies in the face of industry claims about any role carbon capture could play in a fair and fast transition for workers. It should be plain for all to see that CCS is only about locking in the burning of unaffordable fossil fuels and keeping industry bosses’ pockets full.

“Once again, we’re seeing current oil and gas workers disregarded by companies who care more about profit than their livelihoods or their communities. 

“Carbon capture has been proven to fail time and time again. Workers should not be expected to rely on a fantasy technology to give them the long-term, good jobs they deserve.

“The Scottish government must reject these job-cutting plans to build a new power station at Peterhead and sit down with the existing workforce at the original plant to design a genuine transition plan, that moves them into secure jobs in publicly owned renewables.

“Burning gas to generate electricity for the next 25 years poses a huge economic threat because it means our energy bills remain tied to volatile international gas prices that are driven upwards by wars and geopolitics far beyond our control.”

SSE and Equinor say the new station, which would have a generating capacity of up to 910MW, would be equipped with carbon capture technology, capable of removing around 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions every year.

An SSE spokesperson said: "The proposed Peterhead carbon capture power station would support 50 skilled roles during its expected 25-year operational phase, this is in addition to existing roles at the current Peterhead station.

"During construction, the project would support around 1,000 jobs at its peak, creating substantial opportunities for local workers and generating wider economic benefits for businesses and communities across the region.

"SSE is committed to the development of Peterhead carbon capture, which will secure long‑term skilled jobs, attract significant investment, and play a crucial role in delivering flexible, low‑carbon power for Scotland."