Powerful Peterhead

Had to go to Peterhead today for a part for the car and as usual it was easy, cheap and quick at Hawco compared to going to the VW dealer in Aberdeen. Also got a new mower when all the shops in Aberdeen had run out of that model. Stopped at the viewpoint for Peterhead Power Station and took some photos - not quite the rolling tuscan hills but ...

Peterhead Power Station was built by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in 1973 and cost £230 million. Cooling water could be drawn directly from the sea and harbour facilities were available nearby for the unloading of fuel-oil The station was initially configured to run on oil or gas, the first brought into operation in 1980 and the second in 1982. Initially intended to use North Sea oil, price rises resulted in a change to gas (piped directly from the Brent Field), which would otherwise have been flared off as waste. By 1984, oil again became more economic, although by 1989 plans were made to extend the facility. This is a highly efficient plant which also benefitted from low pollution.

The flexibility to switch between oil and gas remains valuable in coping with the unpredictability of future international markets and Peterhead's ability to handle varying compositions of gas (methane, propane and butane) makes it one of the most advanced power stations in Europe. A renovation completed in 2000 has made the station one of the most efficient in the UK.

Peterhead power station employs around 160 people and is run by the privatised Scottish & Southern Energy Plc (previously Scottish Hydro-Electric), headquartered in Perth.