SNP ministers were accused today of treating proposals for a new gas power plant in north-east Scotland as a “foregone conclusion” amid allegations of backroom lobbying by oil and gas giants.

The new 910-megawatt plant in Peterhead, aimed at replacing an existing gas-powered station as well as providing a new carbon capture and storage facility, is a joint project between energy company SSE and state-owned Norwegian oil giant Equinor.

The proposal is currently making its way through the planning process.