Power Generation | Fossil Fuels

UK Government hints at scaling back of low-carbon technologies

Following the UK chancellor George Osborne’s comments at the Conservative party conference that the UK would cut its carbon emissions “no slower but also no faster” than the rest of Europe, hinting at a scaling back of the Government’s green agenda, it has emerged that a major carbon capture project could be scrapped.

According to a report in The Guardian newspaper, Scottish Power is planning to drop or postpone its carbon capture and storage (CCS) scheme for its Longannet power station in Fife.

The Longannet scheme was the last project left in the government’s CCS demonstration competition, in line for £1 billion in funding. But a final announcement has been put off repeatedly.

Now, however, a preliminary study by Scottish Power and its partners Shell and the National Grid has raised concerns about the commercial viability of the project without more government support.

Green group Friends of the Earth has also severely criticised the government’s record on the environment in the wake of Osborne’s comments.

“Despite all the rhetoric about championing the environment the reality is that Conservative policies fall far short of delivering David Cameron’s pledge to lead the greenest Government ever,” says campaigner Craig Bennett.

“Our fossil fuel dependency is having a devastating impact on our economy and household fuel bills - Ministers must fast track us towards a clean, safe energy future,” he adds.

For further information:
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/06/carbon-energy-green-agenda#history-link-box
www.scottishpower.com/
www.foe.co.uk

07 October 2011

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