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Clean coal technology
17/05/2007
Details of the refitting of Longannet and Cockenzie power stations with clean coal technology were announced today 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 per cent
- 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 and 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.