Scottish MPs and MSPs have united to back the Acorn CCS project in the North-east of Scotland, with support from Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP and Conservative politicians.
In an open letter to the Chancellor, the representatives from across Scotland called for the project to be progressed as an immediate priority – with huge potential to unlock £7 billion in private investment and create 15,000 new jobs in the energy transition.
The calls come after a challenging fortnight for Scotland’s energy sector, with 250 job cuts announced at Harbour Energy in Aberdeen, hundreds more in the supply chain and 400 jobs lost at Grangemouth following the end of refining operations at the site. CCS is seen as a vital development to help avoid a cliff-edge in the energy transition.
Acorn is Scotland’s only at-scale CO2 transport and storage solution which will enable Scottish industry to decarbonise. It will enable carbon capture at Peterhead Power Station, helping to balance intermittent renewable energy across the grid, and help to secure an industrial future for Grangemouth through Project Willow.
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Russell Borthwick said: “If the energy transition is to succeed, we need a green light for Acorn to move forward with pace and certainty.
“This letter – signed by around half of Scotland’s parliamentarians – is an important cross-party show of strength by MPs and MSPs who understand the importance of avoiding a cliff-edge and unlocking opportunities in terms of jobs and economic growth.
“It has been encouraging to see funding certainty for the HyNet and East Coast Clusters in recent weeks. But a balanced pathway toward a decarbonised future requires more CCS than just these two projects – and must put Acorn on the road to delivery.
“The reality is that jobs in North-east and central belt Scotland are being lost before our eyes. This has been brought into sharp focus in recent days. Only with projects at this scale can we ensure there is new work for people to move into and to ensure our industrial base can decarbonise and continue to thrive.
“We will continue to press the Chancellor to grant the go-ahead and funding certainty that this project needs to unlock future economic growth and energy security.”
Click here to view the full letter and signatories.