The UK government will unveil an action plan later today that aims to establish the country’s first operational carbon capture usage and storage project by the middle of the next decade.
Under the terms of the plan, the UK will commit to setting out next year how to enable the first CCUS facility in the country.
Investment of £20m will be provided to support construction of CCUS projects at industrial sites across the UK as part of a £45m innovation investment commitment.
Work will also start with the Oil and Gas Authority, industry and the Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland to identify existing oil and gas infrastructure that could be transformed for CCUS.
The announcement coincides with a CCS summit jointly hosted by the UK and International Energy Agency in Edinburgh today that will be attended by 50 world leaders, chief executives of major energy companies, manufacturers and finance companies.
UK energy minister Claire Perry said: “Today at this seminal summit, the UK is setting a world-leading ambition for developing and deploying carbon capture and storage technology to cut emissions.
“It shows how determined all countries are to unlock the potential of this game-changing technology that representatives from across the globe are gathered here today in Edinburgh.
“The time is now to seize this challenge to tackle climate change while kick starting an entirely new industry.”
Scottish minister for energy Paul Wheelhouse said: “The Scottish government has been consistent in our strong commitment to the development and implementation of CCUS technologies as indicated by our existing commitment to the Acorn project at St Fergus.
“We believe Scotland is in a unique position to undertake this technology on an industrial scale. In addition, the opportunity to repurpose key existing pipeline infrastructure assets already in place in Scotland provides the most cost effective pathway to the deployment of CCUS.
“Our waters in the North Seas also provide access to vast carbon storage resources and we believe that coupled with our existing oil and gas capabilities, ready supply chain, strategically important industrial clusters, Scotland is the best-placed country in Europe to realise CCUS on a commercial scale.
“It is therefore positive the UK government has now signalled its support and we must see that commitment fulfilled.”
The UK will also announce investment of £175,000 for Project Acorn to develop ways of transporting carbon emissions from where they are captured to storage. The Scottish government is matching the funding.