Clean Coal Technology in Scotland

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Published: 23 May 2007

Clean Coal Technology in Scotland

Details of the refitting of Longannet and Cockenzie power stations with clean coal technology have been announced as part of what will be Europe's biggest clean coal project.

First Minister Alex Salmond, on his first official visit as FM, joined the Chairman of Scottish Power, Ignacio Galan, at Longannet to discuss the plan that aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

The Scottish Power-Iberdrola Group is to carry out a feasibility study on technology which would:

· reduce carbon emissions from the stations by up to 20%

· provide a secure baseload of electricity for Scotland

· incorporate a carbon capture project based at Longannet being taken forward jointly with Royal Bank of Scotland - which could further reduce emissions

The First Minister said:

"It is crucial, not only for Scotland but for the planet, that we achieve a low carbon economy.

We must do this not just by exploiting our nation's renewables potential but also by deploying expertise in clean coal and indeed hydrocarbon technology.

If we can reduce carbon emissions, coal can play a vital role in giving Scotland the diversity of energy sources which is essential for security of energy supply.

I want to see Scottish-based companies make Scotland greener and I also want to see them benefit from exporting their expertise throughout the world.

The Scottish Power-Iberdrola Group are setting a global example by striving to harness the opportunities these technologies offer. In doing so they are supported by the expertise of Renfrew based Doosnan Babcock.

I am determined to ensure that Scotland takes a lead on clean energy, to the benefit of both the environment and our economy- achieving genuinely sustainable growth."

Scottish Power will carry out a 12-18 months feasibility study into retrofitting supercritical clean coal, carbon capture ready technology at Longannet and Cockenzie as the best option to safeguard future baseload generation in Scotland beyond 2016.

A Front End Engineering Design Study (FEED) will determine:

· technical feasibility

· capital costs & lifetime economics

· planning restrictions

· environmental considerations

· carbon capture options, and

· emissions impact

The FEED study includes a contract with Doosan Babcock from Scotland, as one of the world's leading companies in supercritical technology.

The technology involves the installation of state-of-the-art turbines and boilers that burn coal at an increased temperature.

The merger between Scottish Power and Iberdrola took formal effect on April 23.

Further information

Scottish Power

Doosan Babcock

Clean Coal Technology and the Energy Review

WWF – Scotland comment

UK Power Sector Emissions - targets or reality?

The balance of power: Reducing CO2 emissions from the UK power sector - A summary of WWF-UK’s response to the 2006 Energy Review

Stern Review

UK ERC - Carbon Capture and Storage

UKCCSC project

IEA Clean Coal Centre: Carbon capture & storage (sequestration)

A framework for Clean Coal in Britain