Scottish Government investment in carbon capture project is welcomed by north-east MSP
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Financial backing of up to £80 million is being offered to help the Scottish Cluster carbon capture project accelerate its effort to help Scotland’s just transition to net zero.
The investment would come from the Scottish Government’s Emerging Energy Technologies Fund.
It is proposed to help work with UK Government support to develop “three CCS clusters for the price of two” and grant the Scottish Cluster clear and definitive Track-1 status in its carbon capture sequencing process.
Energy Secretary Michael Matheson met virtually with UK Government’s Minister for Energy Greg Hands on Thursday, setting out the funding offer and pressing the UK Government to provide certainty for the Scottish Cluster.
Mr Matheson said:“The UK Government’s decision not to award the Scottish Cluster clear and definitive Track-1 status is a serious mistake which shows a clear lack of ambition and leadership on climate change.
“Delaying or halting the deployment of the Scottish Cluster has serious consequences, including jeopardising the industrial decarbonisation of Scotland and our just transition to net zero, creating an un-level playing field across the UK, and endangering Scottish and UK-wide net zero targets.
“That is why I am announcing today that we stand ready with up to £80 million of funding to help the Scottish Cluster continue and accelerate the deployment of carbon capture technology.
“Unfortunately we do not hold all the necessary legislative and regulatory levers needed to support the Scottish Cluster, as they are not devolved.
"We cannot simply go it alone with our funding.
"Our offer of support is therefore made on the basis that the Scottish Cluster is given certainty of its due status within the UK sequencing process, and I once again urge the UK Government to provide this certainty for the benefit of our energy sector and for our ability to deliver a just transition to net zero.”
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has welcomed the announcement.
In November, Ms Martin led a debate at the Scottish Parliament on the UK Government’s decision to leave the project out, receiving cross-party support.
Support for the Acorn Project had been received from industry and key stakeholders including Sir Ian Wood and the chief executive of OGUK who warned all five projects being considered for CCUS should be given equal support.
Commenting she said: “The Scottish Government has shown it stands ready to provide funding which could accelerate the deployment of carbon capture technology here in Scotland.
“As the representative of a north-east constituency, which has been at the forefront of energy in the UK for more than 50 years, we do not have time to delay or halt the deployment of the Scottish Cluster.
“The future of the Acorn Project is not just a north-east issue – it is one for families right across Scotland who are reliant on oil and gas and their supply chains for their incomes, either directly or indirectly.
“We have possibly the most concentrated transferrable skills base on our doorstep as well as the universities to enable the innovation that will surround the project.
“This project will support thousands of jobs and investment in the north-east and the longer-term expansion of the cluster would unlock further economic benefits with safeguarding of industrial jobs in sites across the UK.”
“I welcome this funding commitment by the Scottish Government and would urge the UK Government to support it.”
