Gas piped from Sullom Voe one of two options for new Rova Head power station
John RobertsonThe new Lerwick power station being proposed for Rova Head could run mainly on gas supplied from Sullom Voe through an underground pipeline.
The proposal is one of two options being put out for public consultation by Scottish and Southern Energy to replace the old and dirty diesel-burning station at Gremista. The second option is to power the new station with light fuel oil.
SSE development manager for the replacement power station, Jim Lawrie, said plans were at an early stage and the company looked forward to discussing them with the Shetland community.
“The purpose of this project is to make sure homes and businesses have a reliable and secure power supply after the existing Lerwick Power Station closes. Whichever option is selected, a new, modern station would be more efficient with lower emissions and a reduced impact on air quality in the town.”
The Rova Head site is where Shetland Islands Council’s disused incinerator stands and was also used as a dump for many years. The land is owned by Lerwick Port Authority, which is keen to gain ownership of the harbourfront area which would be vacated if the power station moves.
A public exhibition on the new power station proposals is to be held at the Shetland Museum on Wednesday 13th June with the project team present to answer questions.
Stewart Mack
Surely using the waste gas from Sullom Voe would be the best option? -I think its been nearly criminal in modern environmental terms to have the flares burning for best part of 30 years and all that gas wasted. I fail to see the need to pipe the Gas to Rova Head though, why does the Power Station need to be in Lerwick? Why cant it be built near to the source of the Gas? – What about Graven or somewhere around there – doesnt that make more sense if Gas is an option?
David Spence
As far as I am aware, the Power Station at Sullom Voe, is more that capable of providing power for the whole of the islands. It is criminal that the powers that be are only thinking of profit rather than being practical with the resources they have and using this source of energy to provide electricity for the whole of the islands instead of just a very small part of them.
Stewart Mack
I agree with Mr Spences’ comments, I had thought some of the generating plant at Sullom Voe had been decommissioned but perhaps there is enough left to meet the demands of the Islands which would serve a dual purpose of stopping some wasteful practices and providing a useful revenue stream to the Terminal thus boosting its profitability and in turn its long term viability. after all SSE in one guise or another stand to make more than enough out of the Islands if/when VE kicks off, that thats another story.
It makes no sense at all to me to be considering building a new power station in Lerwick, but i am just one voice…………..
David Williamson
Excellent comments
It makes sense to use the existing power network between Lerwick and Sullom rather than buring a pipeline the whole way
Utilise the existing lines infastructure and add capacity to the power station in Sullom to make use of the gas burned off the flare stack every day.
A big gas turbine and a cable to the mainland would make a hell of a lot more business sense than to throw millions of pounds down the gurgler debating the feasability of a windfarm.
Sandy McMillan
I wrote about bringing the gas and unusable oil from Sullom Voe to the incinerator a couple years ago, either by pipeline or by road, I was frowned at to even think such nonsense, now it seems it’s the best idea since sliced bread. may be not to the incinerator as that would, possibly be to much for the Council to take in.
Sandy McMillan
David Williamson
If we could harness the waste gas from the windfarm debate and kline it on the best idea since sliced bread we might be on to a winner…