Peterhead power plant failed National Grid turbine test

Peterhead provides reserve power in case of higher-than-expected demand this winter

A turbine at Peterhead power plant - which is contracted to help guard against blackouts this winter - failed to generate power during a test run, it has been confirmed.

The plant is among three UK power stations under contract from National Grid to provide reserve power in case of higher-than-expected demand.

Energy firm SSE had earlier declined to comment on a reported failure.

SSE has now said the plant has since done a successful retest.

Peterhead had been asked to carry out a test on 20 November.

It has three operational gas-fired turbines which generate electricity at the station, with any two required to meet its contract requirements.

At the time, one of these turbines was undergoing repair work to fix a "minor electrical problem".

The other two turbines were both available, but one suffered "technical difficulties" and was unable to generate.

SSE said: "Any station which fails a proving test will be re-tested by National Grid.

"Peterhead was called onto the system today to undertake this re-test, which it has completed successfully."

National Grid recently signed reserve contracts with Littlebrook, Rye House and Peterhead power plants to provide 1.1GW of power if needed this winter.