Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage

Wednesday 13 September 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) development in Scotland have taken place with Cabinet colleagues.
  • The Acorn cluster in Scotland has received over 40 million from the UK Government.
  • Government will engage and assess delivery plans for Acorn and Viking transportation systems, and set out a process for selecting track 2 capture products.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neale Hanvey
Climate Scotland
Context

The development of carbon capture technology is crucial for Scotland's industrial transformation and economic levelling up. The Acorn cluster in Scotland has been allocated more than £40 million in funding but there are concerns about the commitment to utilise North Sea oil revenues for this purpose.

Question

What recent discussions have you had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) development in Scotland? The Acorn cluster has received over £40 million but no firm commitments. Given the UK will see between £50 billion to £80 billion from North Sea oil and gas revenue over five years, can you tell me about discussions with Government colleagues to secure at least £1 billion of those revenues for rapidly accelerating Scotland's CCUS industry?

Answer from John Lamont

More than £40 million has been allocated by the UK Government to develop this technology. The Government will engage and assess delivery plans, due diligence on Acorn and Viking transportation systems, and set out a process for selecting track 2 capture products to meet stated ambitions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The commitment to secure £1 billion from North Sea revenues was not addressed

How: I Am Not Sure Whether The Hon. Gentleman Actually Listened To My First Answer

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Q2 Neale Hanvey
Scotland Energy
Context

The Acorn project in Scotland has been allocated £40 million for development. However, there are concerns about the commitment to utilise North Sea oil revenues for this purpose.

Question

According to Office for Budget Responsibility projections, the UK will see between £50 billion and £80 billion in revenue from North Sea oil and gas over five years. While it is welcome that the Acorn project can now bid for funding, not a penny has been committed yet. Can you tell me what discussions the Secretary of State has had with Government colleagues to secure at minimum a share of those revenues—say £1 billion over five years—to rapidly accelerate Scotland's carbon capture industry? If not, does that mean he is content to see Scotland's people stripped of their vast natural resources without a single penny of that £80 billion being invested in Scotland's carbon capture ambitions?

Answer from John Lamont

More than £40 million has been allocated by the UK Government. The Government will engage and assess delivery plans, due diligence on Acorn and Viking transportation systems, and set out a process for selecting track 2 capture products to meet stated ambitions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The commitment to secure £1 billion from North Sea revenues was not addressed

How: I Am Not Sure Whether The Hon. Gentleman Actually Listened To My First Answer

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)