New CCS competition- ‘we’ve learnt from industry’ says DECC

The Government has re-launched its carbon capture competition, with a firm commitment to industry by publishing its first Roadmap for bringing the technology to industry throughout the 2020s. The Department […]

The Government has re-launched its carbon capture competition, with a firm commitment to industry by publishing its first Roadmap for bringing the technology to industry throughout the 2020s.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change cancelled its original project last year after power firms complained the trials weren’t affordable. However, the Government has pledged its commitment to help reduce emissions from coal and gas plants and insisted a new approach would stimulate renewed interest from power suppliers.

A DECC spokesperson told ELN: “We’ve learnt lessons from the past. We’ve learnt from industry they wanted fewer requirements and they wanted to share pipelines. The new approach will let the market lead the way.”

The Government said there was still strong interest from industry. The ‘CCS Commercialisation Programme’, will receive £1 billion from DECC to drive down costs by supporting practical experience in the design, construction and operation of commercial scale CCS.

There is also set to be £125m of funding directed to Research and Development, including a new £13m UK CCS Research Centre.

Energy Minister Ed Davey said the UK could build an export industry: “The CCS industry could be worth £6.5bn a year to the UK economy by late next decade as we export UK expertise and products.

“This is a really exciting time for the fledgling CCS industry. Our offer is one of the best anywhere in the world. We have £1bn available to support the upfront costs of early projects along with a commitment to further funding through low carbon Contracts for Difference, we have £125m to support research and development including a new UK CCS Research Centre, and we have the long term incentives in place through our Electricity Market Reforms.”

The competition closes on the 3rd of July.

Latest Podcast