Whiteford Presses UK Government On Peterhead Carbon Capture Project

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has pressed Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change Ed Davey in the House of Commons yesterday (Monday) on progress on support for the world-leading carbon capture project planned for Peterhead.

Dr Whiteford was speaking during a debate on Jobs and the Low Carbon Economy.  She said:

“I am glad that carbon capture and storage has been mentioned as I have a constituency interest in gas carbon capture and storage at Peterhead, which provides a classic example of an opportunity missed in recent years.

“Will the Secretary of State take the opportunity today to set out a clear timetable for that technology?  Personally, I believe that gas is a really flexible technology that will help balance the intermittency, so when can we expect an announcement?”

In response, the Secretary of State said the UK Government would make an announcement “soon”.

Commenting afterwards, Dr Whiteford said:

"We now need to ensure that the last government's mistakes are not repeated and this project goes ahead on track.

"Scottish and Southern Energy are to be commended for their continuing commitment to carbon capture and this project has huge environmental potential, and must be embraced by the government.

"This project will put Peterhead at the cutting-edge of carbon capture technology.  The UK Government must now recognise the very strong case which exists for this project going ahead and the investment it will bring to Peterhead.

"The Scottish Government is doing everything it can to make Scotland the clean, green powerhouse of Europe - but the UK government has a record of holding Scotland back from achieving our full green energy potential in all areas.

"Instead of Westminster's bungling, the Scottish Parliament needs to gain responsibility for all energy issues in Scotland."