Banff and Buchan MP says Acorn Project is still in a "good place"
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Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has been told details of Track 2 CCUS will be announced shortly after he welcomed a £20 billion support package for carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects across UK in Spring Budget.
Jeremy Hunt confirmed a £20bn government support package for carbon capture projects across the UK and Mr Duguid is confident the Acorn Project at St Fergus is in a good place for the Track 2 cluster sequencing process which is being “announced shortly”.
The Chancellor's announcement will help to create up to 50,000 jobs and support the UK’s target to capture 20-30 million tonnes of emissions per year by 2030.
And now Mr Duguid, who hosted a reception at Westminster to promote the Acorn project on Monday, has received an update stating details for the Track 2 process for additional clusters will be “announced shortly”.
The Banff and Buchan MP, who has been a strong advocate for the Scottish Cluster, said: “I welcome the Chancellor's £20 billion commitment to carbon capture technology over the next two decades which will help create up to 50,000 jobs.
“This announcement shows that the UK Government’s commitment to CCUS remains strong and they are fully aware of the need to accelerate the Scottish Cluster.
“I have and will continue to ensure Acorn receives the recognition and support it needs, while pushing for clarity on the timeline and process that will be followed for Track 2 which I’m told will be announced shortly.
“In contrast, the SNP are only interested in shouting from the sidelines and pulling promised funding on the basis that they are ‘waiting for the UK Government’, even though the project has already received more than £40 million of UK funding.
“But despite the SNP’s attempts to talk down the project and play divisive political games, the Scottish Cluster has never actually stopped being developed and is in a good place for Track 2 sequencing prior to operational plans for 2027.
“CCUS is particularly crucial in Scotland to allow for the extension of power generation from Peterhead Power Station.
“A new 95 per cent emission-free power station will be all the more vital for providing a stable baseload for the whole of Scotland, because the SNP government will not allow new nuclear projects despite the massive support on offer from the UK Government.
“CCUS will play a key role in our net zero targets, which is also reflected in the £16 billion North Sea Transition Deal.”
In other news: SNP says Tories should stop time wasting on handing over CCUS funds.
