The SNP welcomed the BEIS announcement of funding for hydrogen projects on 19 February, but said the government “must go further”, especially on carbon, capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
The UK government announced on 18 February that households and businesses will benefit from £90mn to cut carbon emissions in industry and homes. Funding will be provided for two of Europe’s first-ever low carbon hydrogen production plants – the first on the banks of the Mersey, the second planned for near Aberdeen.
Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman said: “The Tories must quit stalling and start delivering for Scottish communities in the North East and the rest of Scotland, and invest in a CCUS scheme. If it will not, it must devolve the powers to Holyrood so the Scottish government can.”
Blackman continued: “A CCUS scheme would give us the opportunity to secure energy supplies and protect manufacturing jobs whilst ensuring carbon is safely stored undersea instead of contributing to climate change.”
The SNP highlighted the £1bn Peterhead CCS scheme, which was cancelled in 2015.
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