News / Terminal power plant breached sulphur levels
THE POWER plant at Sullom Voe oil terminal has seen its environmental rating improve from “poor” to “excellent” after emission levels for sulphur dioxide were breached last year.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said the limit was broken in late November and early December 2015, but emissions were returned to a “satisfactory” level within hours.
The plant was inspected again in August this year and its environmental compliance rating has improved from last year’s score of “poor”.
In SEPA’s 2015 report of environmental compliance, released on Thursday, the organisation said the breaches were only for a “short duration”.
The plant consists of four dual fuel gas turbines – each rated at 23MW. It is fitted with a heat recovery steam generator and a bypass stack.
“The overall compliance assessment for the year has been marred by the combustion of off specification gas received from offshore in late November and early December leading to a breach of the emission limit value for SO2 on the site,” the SEPA report stated.
“The breaches were of short duration with emissions returning to a satisfactory level in a matter of hours.”
On Friday, the environment agency said the rating has since improved.
“SEPA can confirm that an inspection was carried out on… 25 August 2016 and that the current compliance score for the site is sitting at excellent,” a spokesperson said.
“We would stress that this represents an interim position only and may be subject to change before the end of the year.”
French electricity company ENGIE, formerly known as Cofely, took over the reins at the gas powered plant in 2014 after winning an 11-year contract.
Shetland News has approached ENGIE for a response.
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