Cluff confirms Kincardine coal-gas plan remains ‘a flagship’ energy project

Cluff Natural Resources – which aims to generate electricity for its Firth of Forth coal-gas exploration licences – has today confirmed that its Kincardine plan remains a ‘flagship’ energy project.

Earlier this week, Cluff announced it was postponing planning applications for the project to due political uncertainties caused by grassroots SNP opposition to coal-gasification. See also: http://goo.gl/Y7g6rG

But Andrew Nunn, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Cluff Natural Resources remain fully committed to our flagship project in Kincardine, which could see more than £1.2 billion invested over the next 30 years, supporting hundreds of new jobs in central Scotland as well as ensuring that key energy-intensive industries have access to a reliable and cost-effective source of fuel gas or feedstock.

“The irresponsible scaremongering by Green extremists – and their denial of the need for domestic hydrocarbon production to support local industry, help pay for renewable technologies through their infancy and to provide additional security of supply in an increasingly volatile world – does not benefit Scotland in any way.

“While the uncertainty around project timing is regrettable, we confirm we have not postponed our plans and continue to work with regulators and other stakeholders to ensure that key decision makers and local communities are properly informed about this project, the potential benefits and the science behind the various risk mitigation measures which are designed into it from the outset. 

“We are committed to ensuring that our projects are engineered and operated to the highest standards and will continue to work with regulators and any other groups with a constructive agenda around environmental protection, human health improvements and beneficial partnerships with local communities to ensure that these standards are met.

“There are a small group of objectors who oppose all forms of hydrocarbon development in Scotland, but the majority of Scots are rightly concerned about whether they can afford to heat their homes over the winter and the risk of their jobs being forced overseas due to high energy prices or insufficient raw materials.

“The Scottish Government’s continued commitment to evidence-based policy making with respect to UCG should be applauded.”