What is thermal power?
Thermal power is a type of energy generation in which heat energy is converted into electrical energy.
SSE's thermal portfolio
SSE's thermal plant locations
Filter sites
Keadby 1 Power Station
SSE Thermal's 735MW Keadby 1 Power Station is a flexible gas-fired plant located in North Lincolnshire. It entered full commercial operation in 1996.
Burghfield Power Station
SSE Thermal's Burghfield Power Station is a 45MW gas-fired embedded power station which was commissioned in 1999. The station generates electricity into the local DNO (SSEN Distribution) network and operates within the GB electricity market as a balancing market unit (BMU).
Chickerell Power Station
SSE Thermal's Chickerell Power Station is a 45MW gas-fired embedded power station which was commissioned in 1999. The station generates electricity into the local DNO (SSEN Distribution) network and operates within the GB electricity market as a balancing market unit (BMU).
Tawnaghmore Power Station
Tawnaghmore Power Station is a 104MW ‘peaker’ plant. It commenced commercial operation in 2003. The SSE Thermal plant comprises two 52MW gas/oil-fired open cycle unit turbines. Its principal function is to help maintain the security of electricity supply in Ireland’s all-island Single Electricity Market (SEM) by being available to operate on quick response to peaks in national energy demand.
Seabank Power Station
The 1,140MW Seabank Power Station is a flexible gas-fired plant. The station was built in two modules with 'Seabank 1’ (755MW) opening in 2000 and 'Seabank 2 (385MW) opening in 2001. The station is owned and operated by Seabank Power Limited, which is co-owned by SSE and CK Infrastructure Holdings Limited.
Rhode Power Station
SSE Thermal's Rhode Power Station is a 104MW ‘peaker’ plant. It commenced commercial operation in 2004. The plant comprises two 52MW gas/oil-fired open cycle unit turbines. Its principal function is to help maintain security of electricity supply in Ireland’s all-island Single Electricity Market (SEM) by being available to operate on quick response to peaks in national energy demand.
Peterhead Power Station
SSE Thermal's 1,180MW Peterhead Power Station is a flexible gas-fired plant. It first became operational in 1982. We are currently exploring redevelopment opportunities for a decarbonised power station at Peterhead, using CCS or hydrogen solutions, to ensure the site can continue to provide essential flexible generation in a net-zero world.
Marchwood Power Station
The 840MW Marchwood Power Station is a flexible gas-fired plant. The station began operating in December 2009 and is one of the most efficient gas-fired power stations in the UK. The station is owned by Marchwood Power Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between SSE and Munich Re.
Great Island Power Station
SSE Thermal's 460MW gas-fired Great Island Power Station entered commercial operation in 2015, replacing the former oil-fired station at the site. It is now one of the cleanest and most efficient power stations on the island of Ireland, generating enough electricity to power half a million Irish homes.
Medway Power Station
SSE Thermal's 735MW Medway Power Station is a flexible gas-fired plant. It entered full commercial operation in 1995. SSE Thermal are exploring options to decarbonise our energy generation at Medway through emerging CCS and hydrogen solutions to ensure the site can continue to provide essential flexible power in a net-zero world.
Keadby 2 Power Station
SSE Thermal’s Keadby 2 Power Station in North Lincolnshire has an efficiency of around 63 per cent, making it the most efficient plant of its type in the UK and Europe - and one of the most efficient in the world. It entered into commercial operations in March 2023.
Deeside Power Station
Deeside Power Station, a decommissioned CCGT in north Wales provides carbon-free inertia to the system. It is operated by Triton Power, which is jointly owned by SSE Thermal and Equinor.
Saltend Power Station
Saltend Power Station is a CCGT (Combined Cycle Gas Turbine) CHP (Combined Heat & Power) power station located on the Humber Estuary in East Yorkshire. The station has an output capacity of 1200 MW providing power to the UK electricity market, and power and steam to the adjacent Saltend Chemicals Park. It is operated by Triton Power, which is jointly owned by SSE Thermal and Equinor.
Indian Queens Power Station
Indian Queens Power Station is an OCGT (Open Cycle Gas Turbine) power station. The station has an output capacity of 140 MW providing voltage support to the UK electricity market as part of an ancillary services contract with National Grid. It is operated by Triton Power, which is jointly owned by SSE Thermal and Equinor.
SSE's operating expertise
Our flexible and efficient gas-fired generation will continue to play a critical role in the transition to a net zero future, providing reliable backup power and complementing renewable energy.
As we increase the amount of renewables on the system, we will require other forms of generation to respond to market changes and ensure security of supply. When it comes to new developments, we believe low-carbon gas-fired generation is more cost-effective, more flexible, and quicker to deliver than the alternatives. We currently own and operate several of the most flexible and efficient gas-fired power stations in the UK and Ireland. That includes our Keadby 2 Power Station in North Lincolnshire, which is the most efficient gas-fired CCGT not only in the UK but in Europe.
However, we need to go further and find ways to decarbonise these assets to ensure they’re fit for the future. That’s why we’ve committed to not constructing any further gas-fired power stations without a clear route to decarbonisation. We’re exploring exciting opportunities in carbon capture and hydrogen technology, which we believe will allow flexible power stations to continue providing large-scale generation in a net zero world.