Study to develop Carbon Capture and Storage infrastructure blueprint
A comprehensive study is underway to drive forward the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) opportunities in Scotland, it was announced today, 28 September 2010, at the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference.
Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with the Scottish Government, key industry players and leading research bodies, will drive forward the development of a CCS Cluster Investment Plan.
This will bring together leading thinking on existing strengths and consider the possible options for development of Carbon Capture and Storage infrastructure in Scotland. It will consider how Scotland’s carbon storage potential can be utilised and the steps required to make this a resource that can support the location of low carbon industries in Scotland.
CCS is an emerging technology that will enable large scale emitters of carbon such as electricity generators to capture almost all their CO2, compress it and then transport and store it safely in porous rock deep underground or undersea.
The economic opportunities for the development of a CCS-based industry are considerable and it is estimated a whole new industry could emerge in Scotland, which could support up to 10,000 new jobs in the next 10 years. Global market potential is estimated to be worth around £5000 billion.
Lena Wilson, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise, said: “Leading companies, oil and gas heritage and enormous storage potential in our depleted oil and gas fields in the North Sea offer an opportunity to develop a globally competitive sector.
“This study will allow us to map out our existing strengths in infrastructure, assess offshore storage capacity and ascertain what level of investment will be required for Scotland to meet its CCS ambition.”
The study will take a similar phased approach to the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan, which is currently being carried out on Scotland’s offshore wind infrastructure, tapping into a full complement of expertise from the private sector and academia.
Lena continued: "The conclusions of this study will provide a sound basis for action to drive forward the development of Scotland’s CCS industry. This industry could create significant economic benefits but, as important, could deliver a new way of removing carbon emissions on a large scale.”
Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "Scotland has all the attributes to become a world leader in carbon capture and the North Sea can store industrial coal emissions for the next 200 years - a capacity greater than Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark combined. The identification and development of appropriate infrastructure will be critical to make this clean energy technology a key part of Scotland’s low carbon growth.
"We want to see a number of CCS demonstration projects developed in Scotland and we are working with our partners in industry, in the UK Government and in Europe to help make that happen.”
Mike Farley, co-chair of the Thermal Generation and Carbon Capture and Storage Industry Advisory Group welcomed announcement of the study. “Development of suitable infrastructure in the medium to long term is a vital element of the development of CCS and this study with involvement of key partners, will consider some of the options. We support it and look forward to its conclusions.”
CCS will be a key global tool in the fight against climate change, given that some 40 per cent of global emissions are associated with coal, and it is particularly important in the USA, China and India.
Scottish Enterprise is actively working to further develop opportunities in the emerging CCS sector. It was instrumental in the joint publication with the Scottish Government of a CCS Roadmap setting out ambitions and milestones for the sector’s development in early 2010 and sponsored the CCS 2010 conference held in Grangemouth earlier this month.
Initial findings from the CCS Cluster Investment Plan study are expected to be published by the end of 2010.