Iberdrola Launches First Plant To Capture And Store CO2 In the UK , Iberdrola
Release Date: 2009-05-29
As part of its drive for cleaner and more efficient electric power generation technologies
The test unit installed by IBERDROLA’s Scottish subsidiary will enable it to process 1,000m3 of exhaust gas per hour at Longannet
UK prime minister Gordon Brown called the occasion a “historic day for the company and for the country,” adding that the project “represents a significant response by ScottishPower to the climate change agenda, and it is one I welcome”
The company has been short-listed by the UK government in a tender to build a commercial scale CO2 capture and storage plant in the UK
IBERDROLA, via its subsidiary ScottishPower, today launched the first unit of the CO² capture and storage (CCS) facility in the UK, which is being developed at its thermal plant in Longannet, Scotland. This is the first of a series of landmarks for the group in its bid to become a global standard-bearer in this technology.
The test unit installed by IBERDROLA’s Scottish subsidiary, the first of its kind located in the UK, will have the capacity to process 1,000m3 of exhaust gas per hour at the Longannet plant.
In a message of support to IBERDROLA, UK prime minister Gordon Brown called the occasion a “historic day for the company and for the country,” adding that the project “represents a significant response by ScottishPower to the climate change agenda, and it is one I welcome.”
“For our part, the Government is fully committed to both securing Britain’s energy future and to meeting our carbon emissions target, and I hope that the research emerging from the MTU project will make a major contribution to achieving our shared aims.”
The company plans to conduct a number of tests at the unit launched today to monitor the effectiveness of the chemical solution that captures the CO² under different conditions.
The data will allow IBERDROLA to better understand the technology used to capture and store the gas, before a full-scale demonstration project is built, eventually capturing up to 90% of CO² from the plant.
Furthermore, IBERDROLA confirmed that it will establish a global Centre of Excellence to develop CCS technology in the UK. To launch this, ScottishPower has announced the creation of a chair at Edinburgh University, which is a leader in research in this sphere.
The development of this kind of carbon capture and storage facility by IBERDROLA is part of its firm bid to foster the cleanest and most efficient electric power generation technologies, and it is fully in line with its commitment to cut emissions.
IBERDROLA, short-listed by the UK government
IBERDROLA’s Scottish subsidiary has been short-listed by the UK government in a tender to develop a commercial scale CCS project in the UK.
ScottishPower’s initiative is being developed at the Longannet plant, located in the council area of Fife. The Group estimates that it will be able to launch a commercial plant with a capacity of 300 MW and equipped with CCS technology by 2014.
The British government began calling for bids in November 2007 and received proposals from nine companies which, following an initial selection phase, have now been reduced to three: ScottishPower, RWE and E.on. Their bids will be evaluated by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
| Type: | NORMAL |
| Company: | Iberdrola |
| Country: | Spain |
| Url: | http://www.iberdrola.es/webibd/corporativa/iberdrola?IDPAG=ENMODULOPRENSA&URLPAG=/gc/prod/en/comunicacion/notasprensa/090529_NOP_01_capturaCO2.html&WT.rss_a=IBERDROLA_LAUNCHES_FIRST_PLANT_TO_CAPTURE_A |