New AEA study helps Scotland assess economic potential of carbon capture and storage
A new study by AEA for Scottish Enterprise shows how more than 5,000 Scottish jobs could be created if three proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) schemes go ahead. In addition, the study shows that the Scottish economy could benefit by more than £2.75 billion during construction and more than £500 million during the operation of the sites.
Led by AEA's economist Evan Williams and Carbon Capture and Storage Specialist Naser Odeh, the study brought together AEA's expertise in energy technology with incisive economic analysis. It provided assessments of the potential for economic and employment benefits for each of three proposed CCS demonstration projects in Scotland at Longannet, Peterhead and Hunterston.
The findings were presented by Scottish Enterprise at the All Energy conference in Aberdeen on 18 March 2011.
CCS is a process by which climate damaging CO2 can be captured and prevented from entering the atmosphere through storage deep underground in places such as disused oil fields. Scotland is recognised as having a competitive advantage in CCS and the potential to become a global leader in the field. The three proposed CCS projects would test and demonstrate the technical aspects of CCS technology at a commercial scale.
Our study showed that up to 4,600 jobs could be created during the construction phase of the projects to 2020, with more than 454 permanent operational jobs supported each year once the sites were up and running.
Adrian Gillespie, from Scottish Enterprise, said:
"The far-reaching impacts revealed in this study underline the potential of carbon capture and storage, not only in long term economic and environmental terms but also in the shorter term, delivering significant immediate benefits for the Scottish economy."
He added: "We want to see a number of CCS demonstration projects developed in Scotland and are working with our partners in industry, in the UK Government and in Europe to help make that happen."
AEA's Evan Williams said:
"CCS has the potential to significantly contribute to the Scottish economy, and by taking a lead in these demonstration projects Scotland will be well placed to benefit from international markets for CCS in the future."
"Scotland's capabilities in engineering and in the offshore industry are the ideal platform from which to exploit global opportunities in designing, building and operating CCS plant around the world."
A copy of the Scottish Enterprise report is available here.