- Investment in carbon capture project announced.
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 met virtually with UK
Government’s Minister for Energy 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.”
