CCS technology ''could offer sustainable benefits''

Written by Robert Shields.

The potential environmental and financial benefits offered by carbon capture and storage (CCS) sustainable technology have been highlighted by one expert.

Speaking after proposals made by the government in its recent Energy Bill, Scottish Power''s chief executive Nick Horler believes that the technology should be commercially demonstrated as soon as it can be.

He said: ''The framework for the development of clean coal, including the funding mechanism in the form of the CCS Incentive, is a significant step towards creating a decarbonised electricity sector.''

Mr Horler emphasised that his own firm is keen to help in the development of a commercial CCS site at Longannet.

The Energy Bill also aims to offer vulnerable homeowners more financial support.

Meanwhile, the government has also recently announced that small businesses looking to help in the creation of biomass supplies of renewable energy are now able to make applications for funding from the Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme.