Client: SSE Thermal

Services: Industrial Decommissioning, Pre-Demolition Engineering, Asset Maintenance

Amrose Associates was appointed by SSE Thermal to undertake pre-demolition civil and structural appraisals at Tarbert Power Station and Great Island Power Station in Ireland. Both sites are permanently shut down and mothballed, with demolition anticipated at an undefined point in the future.

The challenge

During this holding period, SSE Thermal required assurance that the assets would remain safe, compliant and suitable for future industrial demolition without incurring unnecessary maintenance or intervention costs.

Although no longer operational, the assets are large, complex and high-risk industrial structures. During the mothballing phase, they must continue to meet safety and compliance requirements while remaining suitable for eventual industrial demolition. The challenge for us was to provide engineering assurance without over-intervening, so that we could balance safety, cost and long-term demolition practicality.

The scope of works included detailed inspections and assessments of primary and secondary structures across both sites. This took in the turbine halls, boiler houses, chimneys, pump houses and ancillary buildings, with a focus on structural stability, deterioration mechanisms and defect identification.

Key challenges included:

  • Managing deterioration of large, complex power station structures during long-term mothballing
  • Understanding how future deterioration could affect demolition risk, cost and complexity

Our approach

Amrose Associates undertook detailed pre-demolition civil and structural appraisals across both sites. We were looking specifically at the fitness of the structures for continued mothballing, identifying and categorising defects, including those presenting immediate safety concerns. We were looking specifically at risks of corrosion, falling-objects, water ingress, weatherproofing failure and the kind of progressive deterioration that is typical of decommissioned power assets.

A key element of the commission was the development of risk-based recommendations aligned to potential demolition timescales of 18 months, five years and up to ten years. By considering how deterioration could impact future demolition safety, complexity and cost over different holding periods, the assessments allowed engineering effort and asset maintenance expenditure to be matched to realistic timelines.

Our approach included:

  • Comprehensive inspections of turbine halls, boiler houses, chimneys, pump houses and ancillary buildings
  • Assessment of structural stability and fitness for continued mothballing
  • Identification and categorisation of defects, including immediate safety issues
  • Risk-based engineering recommendations aligned to demolition horizons of 18 months, five years and up to ten years

The outcome

Our approach enabled SSE Thermal to prioritise immediate safety actions, plan proportionate maintenance interventions and avoid unnecessary works where risks could be managed through monitoring and control. Importantly, our work also indicated that the assets would remain safe-to-demolish when required, even if demolition were deferred.

The outcome was a clear, structured understanding of asset condition and risk during the industrial decommissioning phase. The appraisals supported informed decision-making, improved cost control and reduced uncertainty, providing a robust engineering foundation for the transition from mothballing to demolition.

The appraisals provide SSE Thermal with a clear, structured understanding of asset condition and risk throughout the mothballing phase.

By taking a forward-looking, risk-based approach, SSE Thermal can manage its mothballed power assets safely and efficiently while maintaining flexibility around future industrial demolition planning.

If you are looking for an experienced team to support you with asset maintenance and risk management in relation to industrial demolition or  industrial decommissioning, Ask Amrose. Call 0113 418 0694 or email enquiries@amroseassociates.com