The power station was built after World War II, originally coal-fired but later converted to oil to reduce emissions.

[9][10] On 4 January 1977, a serious fire and explosion occurred at a warehouse in the Braehead Container Clearance Depot, adjacent to the Power Station.

The fire detonated 70 tonnes of sodium chlorate weedkiller stored in the warehouse, producing a blast estimated by HM Inspectorate of Explosives as being equivalent to up to 820 kg of TNT.

[11][12][13] About 200 stores and homes in Renfrew and Clydebank had their windows shattered by the explosion, which was heard throughout the entire Greater Glasgow region and sent flying debris as far as 2.8 kilometres away.

The Braehead area includes: The shopping centre opened in September 1999 and comprises 98,474 m2 (1,059,970 sq ft) of retail and leisure floorspace.

Since opening, the centre has proved popular with consumers, and it has even been blamed for a downturn in the fortunes of shops in nearby Paisley, Govan and Renfrew.

On 7 October 2011, a father was stopped by security and questioned by police under anti-terror legislation after photographing his daughter at an ice-cream stall.

[32] In March 2006, weeks before the complex was scheduled to open, the roof of screen seven of the Odeon fell in and required extensive re-building.

The cinema is fitted with RealD 3D (also known as Disney Digital 3-D technology) in screen 7, and is also capable of showing IMAX films.

The cinema held the Scottish Pink Carpet Premiere of Universal Pictures film "Wild Child" on 30 July 2008.

Between the residential area and the shopping centre an Xscape complex (now named Xsite), providing an indoor ski slope and other entertainments and leisure facilities opened in early 2006.

Braehead can be reached from Junctions 25a (westbound) and 26 (eastbound) of the M8 motorway, and has extensive public transport connections including its own bus station.

A road bridge between Renfrew and Yoker on the north bank of the Clyde was constructed in 2024,[34][35] providing easier access to Braehead for residents in that sector of the city.