The Scottish Government has been urged to reject plans to build a new “climate-breaking” gas-fired power station in Aberdeenshire.
More than 13,000 people have signed a petition opposing Peterhead’s proposals, which activists said were “dangerous and unnecessary”.
Friends of Scotland (FoE), which presented a petition to St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh on Monday, said the new site would see households forced to pay expensive energy bills set by international markets.
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The group said it would also undermine the transition to renewable energy and extend the country’s dependence on fossil fuels for another 25 years.
The current planning application proposes expanding the existing site with a new 910 megawatt gas-fired power plant.
Environmental groups say existing power stations in the area are already Scotland’s biggest polluter.
SSE, which wants to develop the site with Equinor, said carbon capture technology could reduce the power plant’s emissions by up to 90%.
There are plans to send greenhouse gases generated at the site to St Fergus to be pumped into depleted oil wells about 50 miles off the North Sea coast.
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FoE said carbon capture on this scale was “unproven” and there were “serious concerns” about its safety.
Environmental group campaigner Freya Aitchison urged the Scottish Government to focus on renewable projects instead.
She said: “The Scottish Government is already failing to meet its climate targets. But instead of stepping up and taking climate action, they are considering approving new, highly polluting power plants.
“Another gas plant in Peterhead will increase climate-destroying emissions and lock the Scottish public into exorbitant energy bills for decades to come.
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“Thousands of people are supporting this campaign and telling ministers to reject this controversial development and instead focus on the solutions we know work, such as publicly owned renewable energy.
“Carbon capture has a long track record of failure and is a dangerous distraction from the real work of reducing emissions and delivering a just transition for workers and communities.”
Tommy Vickerstaff, head of 350.org UK, which co-organized the petition, added: “Increasing investment and capacity at Scotland’s biggest polluter is dangerous and unnecessary.
“We urge the Scottish Government to reject these useless proposals and instead fund and support the amazing renewable energy opportunities that are waiting to unlock across Scotland.
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“Ensuring retraining and support for Scotland’s existing oil and gas workers must also be part of this investment.”
Ministers earlier this year backed off a 2030 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75%, admitting it was unlikely to succeed.
Climate campaigners have warned that a new power station in Peterhead will put the current 2045 net-zero emissions target in further jeopardy.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on live planning applications.”
“The Minister will make a decision in due course, taking into account the application information, consultation responses and public comments.”
SSE and Equinor have been contacted for comment.
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Craig Meighan is a PA Scottish political reporter.
