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The Herald Scotland
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's largest power plant faces a final reckoning
Yet, the industry, now imperiled by the attempted drive towards net zero, must adapt or die. Peterhead Power Station began operation in 1982, and will be nearly 60 years old when it is decommissioned in a decade and a half. First an oil-powered station, the fuel of choice was switched to fossil gas at the dawn of the 21st century. It was Scotland's largest climate polluter between 2018 and 2020, and again in 2022, while producing electricity for thousands of homes across the UK. I should know. Peterhead Power Station was fully operational in 1982. (Image: SSE) I walked past its gas turbines every day for three years. As I waited for the bus to take me 30 miles south to Aberdeen University, a steady stream of cars would make the journey in the opposite direction, towards the plant. Now, plans have been drawn up for a second power station — one which developers SSE say will incorporate carbon capture and storage (CCS) in a bid to catch 95% of the plant's emissions. Peterhead, a town of 20,000 known for its fishing industry, is poised to play a 'very strategic' role in the nation's energy grid, Helen Sanders tells me. Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at SSE, Sanders has led public engagement on the firm's low-carbon initiatives. She notes: 'Peterhead is a very strategic place when it comes to our national energy grid, and we've been looking at carbon capture in the north east of Scotland for a significant period of time. 'We cannot have a power system based solely on renewables. To use a cliche,' she adds, 'What happens when the sun doesn't shine and the wind won't blow? Peterhead is really plugged in and very well placed in that regard.' Read more: While the efficacy of CCS has long been debated, SSE claims it will be able to secure 95% of emissions, capturing particles in the air and sending them deep under the North Sea via pipeline. Sanders says: 'Nobody is doing more for the decarbonisation of the power system than SSE. We've been working with a world-class consortium to test our carbon capture plan. 'Our project requires government investment, and in order to receive funding, we need to meet certain standards of carbon capture.' SSE has been the target of climate activists. However, her claims are countered by environmental campaigner Alex Lee, who works for Friends of the Earth Scotland as a 'false solutions campaigner'. Lee, who specialises in CCS and fossil hydrogen research, told me that SSE's top figure of 95% was 'conjecture,' adding: 'I'm very interested to know the research and real world evidence behind their claims. 'Carbon capture and storage has never been done on a gas power station. Even when it's been done before in the power sector, it's largely been a failure.' My conversation with Sanders turns to the issue of job creation. 'The existing station is a good framework,' she informs me. 'It has 80 full time employees as well as support workers and contractors and graduates who are onsite. We work with local educational institutes to provide apprenticeship opportunities. 'There will be significant investment during the construction period, with 1000 jobs expected to be created, and the carbon capture scheme will support 240 jobs once commissioned and operational.' Previous carbon capture schemes in the area have fallen through, notably in 2006 and 2011, so I ask Sanders what the difference will be this time around. 'Net Zero is a game changer,' she responds. 'Peterhead is an anchor project for the CCS scheme [known as Acorn] and will underpin the entire system.' With a £22bn commitment by the UK Government at the end of last year, it appears both parties are keen to see the technology released in the north east. That's something Lee herself has observed, from the other side of the fight. 'There is a broad political consensus from the SNP and UK Labour and the Tories in support of carbon capture and storage,' they note. 'There's a key reason. The oil and gas lobby is massive. For every day Holyrood is in session, there is an oil and gas meeting. 'It's easier to pretend carbon capture is a 'magic bullet' than to change structures and systems. That's where the political consensus is coming from.' What do people in the region think about the plant? Unsurprisingly, activists and developers tell me different things. SSE claims that the plant will bring an influx of jobs and economic development to the area. Sanders quips: 'Locally, the response has been very supportive. People are keen to see investments. They know it can revitalise the north east of Scotland and set it up to thrive in a Net Zero world. 'I remember attending one of our community engagement meetings in the town and people were asking why we hadn't done this sooner.' Petehead is home to the largest fishing port in Europe. (Image: Getty) She invites me to visit Peterhead, and says the firm would be happy to show me around the plant. 'Well,' I say, 'I'll do you one better. I've looked out my window and seen the power plant more times than I can count.' 'Ah,' Sanders replies. 'I see why you're interested in this.' A shiny video on SSE's website celebrates the impact it has on the region. In an interview, one suited and booted worker says: 'We know it's a really hard time for local charities, business, and organisations. So to see SSE stepping up and getting involved locally with local people and community groups to help support them is really important.' Read more: Yet, Michelle Marshall, who works for Friends of the Earth, has a different view. She is a mum-of-two who has lived in Boddam for a decade, in the shadow of the power plant. We first met when she was fighting to save the community's library, which was mothballed over the winter. Marshall tells me that her community is already suffering. She says: 'Peterhead and Boddam have seen colossal cuts that are already affecting so many people. What we need is to see our sheltered housing stay open, for the new Community Campus to be built, our libraries reinstated, access to better healthcare and the reinstating of our nighttime A&E service. 'What we don't need is more pollution, more risk of flooding, and more risk to our health. We do not need a new gas guzzling power station when we deserve good, well-funded public services and community spaces.' It's a trying time for the residents of the north-east, this I know. A hardy and proud people, they have been worn down by decades of economic stagnation and neglect by a series of governments. They are those who live in the shadows; of the oil and gas industry, the energy companies, and yes, the looming power plant. And now, it's hard to shake the feeling that in the corporate boardrooms and halls of power in London and the central belt, their future is being decided for them.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Aberdeen University study links deprivation to stroke survival
A call has been made for a rethink of health service delivery after a study suggested people who have a stroke were more likely to die within a year if they lived in more deprived University researchers analysed data from almost 50,000 found stroke patients in the most deprived areas were younger and had more co-existing health conditions than those in less deprived areas. The treatment patients received also differed according to where they Scottish government said it was determined to reduce avoidable cardiovascular deaths and was targeting areas of deprivation. The report authors suggested that the reasons for the disparity in treatment might be differences in awareness of stroke risk factors and the benefits of team at Aberdeen University believe their findings should be considered when developing public health messaging and policy, with a view to tailoring advice and subsequent treatment according to where people have called on the Scottish government and the NHS to act, saying a proactive approach to transforming healthcare services was needed.A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We will support 100,000 patients who may be at risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, with extra GP appointments by March next year."This is as part of our cardiovascular disease risk factors programme and has particular focus on supporting people living in areas of deprivation."
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cancer-hit Goodburn secures 100m breaststroke gold
Scottish National Open Swimming ChampionshipsVenue: Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh Date: 27-29 June Coverage: Live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer. Archie Goodburn has won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the Scottish Swimming Championships a year on from being diagnosed with brain 24-year-old from University of Edinburgh held off the challenge of Stirling University's Rafe Dobson in a comfortable 1:02.42 at Edinburgh's Royal Commonwealth Pool. Having been runner-up at 50m at the British Championships in April, Goodburn went into the race as strong favourite as he continues to train for this summer's World University Games and next year's Commonwealths in will also be aiming to retain the Scottish 50m breaststroke crown this Aberdeen University's Faye Rogers lowered her own S10 200m butterfly world record by more than half a second to 2:18.24 as she took bronze in the able-bodied final.
STV News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Aberdeen University equestrian team saddle up after qualifying for finals
The countdown is on until the British University and Colleges Sports (BUCS) equestrian finals. And the four-strong riding team for Aberdeen University have their sights set high for the event – after becoming the only Scottish team to qualify. Kiera Mordue, president of Aberdeen University Equestrian Club, said: 'It was totally unexpected, we didn't even expect to make it to regionals. 'We just said to each other we're just going to have a good time, but then when we got to the prize giving and they were reading out the names and then Aberdeen was first!' STV News Riders will compete in dressage and showjumping, but the format of a BUCS competition slightly differs from other equestrian competition, with riders using horses that are provided by event organisers. They don't ride their own. It adds another level of complexity, but the team says one of Aberdeen's riding schools, Hayfield Riding Centre, has helped them train for every eventuality. Abi Smith who rides for the team explained: 'At Hayfield we ride lots of different horses which we're grateful for. 'You can get such a big variety of horses provided for events, both big and small so our training here has been invaluable.' It's the first time the Aberdeen University team has qualified for ten years, and it's hoped their recent success will attract more people to the club. Annabel Buchan added: 'It would be great if people see this and want to come and join us, we're quite a small club at the moment. 'We're hoping to do Scotland proud, which is a lot of pressure but we're going to the event to have fun.' On Thursday, the team from the north east will face some of the UK's top riders. It's one university challenge they're hoping to win. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Global Campuses Head to Mumbai, Vidarbha Left Watching, Say Statehood Activists
Nagpur: As five top international universities prepare to establish campuses in Navi Mumbai, statehood activists in Vidarbha have once again raised their voices against what they call 'chronic regional neglect'. The Maharashtra govt's decision to welcome institutions like Aberdeen University, University of York, University of Western Australia, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Istituto Europeo di Design (IED), who have expressed interest in setting up their campuses in Navi Mumbai, has sparked criticism from Vidarbha leaders. They claim the eastern region is being reduced to a spectator in the state's development narrative. Speaking to TOI, statehood supporters argue that premier institutions could have been set up in Nagpur or Amravati, cities that not only have space but also the potential to transform into knowledge hubs. Instead, Navi Mumbai continues to be the focal point of investment and policy attention, leaving Vidarbha sidelined. Former MLA Wamanrao Chatap criticised the govt, calling them 'anti-Vidarbha', and claimed that the decision to prioritise Navi Mumbai is politically motivated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "This is being done to keep alliance partners happy and the govt in power," he alleged, targeting the chief minister for 'compromising Vidarbha's interests'. Atharv Kothekar, senior digital marketing manager at the Association for Industrial Development (AID), echoed similar sentiments. "Vidarbha lies at the centre of India and has immense logistical value, but it is consistently left out of major policy decisions," he said. Despite institutions like AIIMS and IIM existing in Nagpur, they are rarely highlighted in development narratives. Kothekar added that inadequate infrastructure — including limited international air connectivity — and a Mumbai-focused model of development are keeping Vidarbha from progressing. "Mumbai is saturated with educational institutions and companies too. It's time we build an ecosystem in Vidarbha, starting with investment in basic infrastructure," he said. Another expert on the topic, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the state govt is diverting already strained resources to Mumbai and western Maharashtra. "There is no political will to support Vidarbha. Even with 62 MLAs from this region, the power still lies in the hands of leaders from western parts of the state," he said. He added that local initiatives like Symbiosis College in Nagpur have proven doubters wrong, showing that the people are ready — it is only the govt that lacks intent. "This imbalance only reaffirms our demand for a separate Vidarbha. Without statehood, these aspirations will never materialise," he said.
