As councillors prepare to decide the fate of Peterhead’s pioneering carbon capture project, one of Scotland’s leading Green politicians has cast a shadow over the scheme.
The carbon capture and storage (CCS) development proposed by energy giant Shell would transform Peterhead Power Station into a one-of-a-kind site and bring hundreds of jobs to the area.
Shell – which has teamed up with SSE for the scheme – submitted a formal planning application which has already won the backing of the local authority’s Buchan area committee.
The proposals are expected to be ratified at a meeting of the full council today.
However, last night, Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie raised concerns that the pilot project would divert attention from renewable sources.
The MSP for Glasgow, who is a member of Holyrood’s economy and energy committee, said: “Carbon capture remains unproven, and we cannot simply rely on it as a solution to climate change.
“The experiment at Peterhead, if it goes ahead, is simply that, and we cannot afford to put our renewable energy agenda on hold in the hope that carbon capture will somehow save the day.”
Mr Harvie added: “By all means let’s continue research into this area but let’s not use it as an excuse to allow new fossil fuel plants to be built in our communities.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has defended the plan to pump tens of millions of tonnes of harmful CO2 back into depleted North Sea gas wells.
Speaking at the annual Oil and Gas Industry Conference in Aberdeen yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said: “I think carbon capture and storage is a big opportunity in Scotland as part of our move to a cleaner energy supply and a lower carbon economy and we are very supportive of the Shell SSE project at Peterhead.
“It’s also important in my view that we maximise the total value of our oil and gas reserves but none of that is inconsistent with a move to a low carbon economy.”
If councillors back the planning application today, Shell is expected to make a final investment decision later this year.