Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – A project designed to capture, transport, and securely store CO2 emissions throughout Scotland is set to receive £2 million from the Scottish Government.
This new funding will be used to investigate the feasibility of a pipeline that could carry carbon dioxide from the central belt of Scotland to the northeast.
The Acorn Carbon transport and storage project is a collaborative effort with the Scottish Cluster, leveraging the combined expertise of Storegga, Shell UK, Harbour Energy, North Sea Midstream Partners, and National Gas.
The project partners with industries such as power, hydrogen, bioenergy, and waste-to-energy businesses in locations including Peterhead, Grangemouth, and Mossmorran, aiming for the capture of CO2 emissions for permanent geological storage beneath the North Sea.
During a visit to St Fergus in Aberdeenshire, where the Acorn transport and storage terminal will be situated, First Minister John Swinney indicated that the Acorn project is crucial for the future of significant industrial sites like Grangemouth and Mossmorran. The first minister further indicated that a National Gas pipeline is a vital element of this initiative, and expressed his pleasure that the Scottish Government is funding to expedite this innovative work.
“We are determined to support projects like this to support the development of Scotland’s carbon capture and storage sector and the fair and just transition of oil and gas sector.
Nic Braley, the Managing Director of Acorn, indicated that they appreciate the Scottish Government’s backing for the SCO₂T Connect project and its acknowledgment of the project’s significance in decarbonising Scotland’s industry.
He further stated that through their collaboration, Acorn and National Gas aim to deliver a CO₂ transport and storage solution to the Scottish Cluster. This solution will benefit a wide array of emitters from Scotland and the rest of the UK, all dedicated to achieving decarbonisation in an efficient and economical manner.
The carbon capture project is poised to deliver a Scotland economic boost expanding to the other regions. The Scottish Cluster, a consortium of companies working together to develop and implement carbon capture technology, is expected to create numerous job opportunities and attract substantial investment. This ambitious project not only aims to reduce carbon emissions but also to position Scotland as a global leader in the fight against climate change.
