Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a commitment from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to consider accelerating the Acorn Carbon Capture project in Aberdeenshire.
Speaking on Times Radio this morning, Ed Miliband said he would look at proposals to fast-track Acorn to support the future of Grangemouth, which has this week moved to make 400 workers redundant.
As part of the Scottish Cluster, Grangemouth plays a pivotal role in connecting to the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, which aims to significantly reduce industrial carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Scotland.
During an interview with morning, it was put to Mr Miliband that an accelerated timeline for Acorn would support jobs at Grangemouth, a proposal he said he would consider.
Mr Miliband added: "We are determined to have a future for that Grangemouth site and for the Grangemouth community and that's what we're working on actually alongside the Scottish government something called Project Willow which is a whole project which will be published later this month or early next on looking at how we can how we can make the most of the potential resources at Grangemouth.
“Carbon capture and storage could be part of it, sustainable aviation fuel could be part of it. There's huge potential on that site and we are absolutely determined for the sake of that community, the Scottish economy, the UK economy to do that because there's huge benefits."
The Scottish Cluster, which includes the Acorn project, is projected to create, safeguard, and support tens of thousands of high-skill jobs by storing carbon under the North Sea using pipelines and other transportation.
The project is anticipated to contribute £17.7billion directly to UK's economic output over 25 years but has yet to formally receive Treasury backing.
Commenting on the interview, Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Secretary of State is right to consider an accelerated timeline for Acorn, which is an economic imperative for both the North-east and wider Scottish economy.
“There is no better opportunity to deliver economic growth and clean power, two stated missions of the government, than progressing the Scottish Cluster.
“Carbon capture technology is game-changing technology which can create tens of thousands of jobs across the country.
“However, if we are serious about decarbonisation, then we must move much faster and more comprehensively than we have to date.
“The UK will need all five of its proposed carbon capture clusters – and possibly more – if it is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Therefore, the government should be progressing all clusters at pace, in particular the Acorn project in Aberdeenshire, which the Prime Minister has seen for himself is shovel ready.”