CCS - Why Now?

Nick Horler - C.E.O. ScottishPower
Nick Horler
C.E.O. ScottishPower

 

 

 

Carbon capture and storage is an essential technology to tackle the dual problems of climate change and security of supply. Coal and gas have an important role in a balanced energy portfolio, but to meet the UK Government's tough carbon reduction targets, CCS will have to become a reality by 2014.

The UK has a real opportunity to become a global player in the low carbon economy of the future. Our combination of strong offshore and engineering skills and the opportunities offered once again by the natural resource of the North Sea give the UK a unique position in this emerging industry.

ScottishPower is part of Iberdrola which is already a world leader in wind power and is determined to make the UK its global centre of excellence for developing sustainable energy from coal and gas.

By 2014, we can demonstrate a fully operational carbon capture and storage system capable of being deployed around the world. To meet this target, we have developed strong partnerships with the world leaders in CCS technology and infrastructure design.

"There is no alternative to CCS if we are serious about fighting climate change. We need new coal-fired power stations (for energy security) but only if they can be part of a low carbon future. With a solution to the problem of coal we greatly increase our chances of stopping dangerous climate change emissions. Without we will not succeed." (Secretary of Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband)     |     "The UK ... have a unique window of opportunity to lead the world in CCS because they not only own much of the North Sea Basin, but have world-class industrial capability to deploy CCS technology, with the option to re-use existing infrastructure." (The North Sea Basin Task Force Report, 2007)     |     "20 full-scale projects are required by 2020. This includes coal-fired retrofits. If demonstration fails to materialise prior to 2014, it will be impossible for CCS technology to make a meaningful contribution to green house gas reductions by 2030." (International Energy Association, 2008)     |     "Three-quarters of the projected output of electricity worldwide in 2020 (and more than half in 2030) comes from power stations that are already operating today." (IEA World Energy Outlook 2008)