Carbon storage plan revealed

Carbon storage plan revealed

Ambitious plans to store carbon dioxide in depleted oil and gas fields in the North Sea have been revealed by the Government, as part of its long term emissions reduction programme. Speaking at the Royal Institution, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks outlined the proposal along with a £40m package for emerging low carbon technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and cleaner energy generation from coal and gas.

"Reaching our ambitious target of cutting carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 means action now to support emerging technologies that will enable us to burn coal and gas more cleanly,” said Mr Wicks. "We've consulted the industry closely and it's clear that the long term benefits of capture and storage, which could reduce emissions from power plant by up to 85%, merit significant investment now.”

The carbon capture and storage methods technique described by the Government could be in action as early as 2015.

The £40m investment is divided between a £25m ‘Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy’ to advance clean fuel forms and the North Sea storage plan, and a £15m ‘Hydrogen Strategy’ designed to speed up the development of fuel cells.

The minister went on to reiterate the Government’s commitment to renewable power as a key factor in its energy programme.

The carbon storage proposal was met with a ‘cautious’ welcome from green group Friends of the Earth.

“A robust new climate change programme is needed with the Government legally responsible for cutting greenhouse gases. That is why we want to see new laws requiring ministers to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent each year. Unless we take this issue seriously, the terrible consequences will be felt for generations to come," commented FoE’s climate campaigner Bryony Worthington.