Carbon capture put at risk after plug is pulled on extra cash

A GROUNDBREAKING project to store emissions from Scotland’s largest coal-burning power station under the sea could be close to floundering.

ScottishPower, which runs the Longannet plant in Fife, was reported to be on the verge of pulling out of the scheme following lengthy negotiations with the UK government.

It is understand the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) is unwilling to increase funding of the £1 billion carbon capture and storage (CCS) experiment to make it commercially viable for ScottishPower.

CCS involves forcing liquefied carbon dioxide into subsea rocks, with the gas eventually dissolving to become fizzy water.

Professor Stuart Haszeldine of Edinburgh University, whose research has helped shape the scheme, said the power firm wanted to be paid as much for the electricity generated under CCS as other clean energy such as from windfarms – some £100 per megawatt hour – rather than the lower rate paid for the “dirty electricity” Longannet currently produces, of around £60 a megawatt hour.

Prof Haszeldine, whose post is sponsored by ScottishPower, said: “Things are in a difficult position. There is definite concern because negotiations have taken a long time.

“They are still proceeding, but going to a higher and higher level as they become more protracted.”

The academic said ScottishPower was nervous about committing to the project without securing more guaranteed income in the face of impending tough European pollution laws.

Environmental campaigner group WWF Scotland said: “We have heard it is on a sticky wicket and this is not just scaremongering – there is a good chance of it not happening.” WWF director Dr Richard Dixon said: “This news is deeply worrying. If the UK truly wants to lead the development of this technology, we do hope that all those involved can find a way to make this project happen.”

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: “The collapse of the CCS project at Longannet would be a serious blow, and would raise even greater question marks over the long-term commercial viability of carbon capture in general.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “With our unrivalled natural resources, decades of experience in the North Sea and an excellent base in science and engineering, Scotland can be Europe’s carbon storage hub.

“Longannet remains a contender in the CCS competition and ScottishPower are continuing to discuss its role with the UK government.”

A ScottishPower spokesman would say only: “Negotiations with Decc over the next phase of the CCS demonstration competition are continuing.”