Budget investment interesting but ultimately ‘lukewarm’

11th Mar 2020

 

“Some interesting commitments, but it’s not enough” says the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) today as they respond to the government’s budget announcement that it will ‘invest £800m in carbon capture and storage through to 2030’.

Isaac Occhipinti, Head of External Affairs, EUA said: 

“EUA are, of course, pleased that Chancellor Sunak’s has included green gas, heat pumps and heat networks, in addition to a Low Carbon Heat Support Scheme- a successor to the Renewable Heat Incentive, RHI, in his first budget, but in all honesty, it’s not enough.”

 “An affordable, secure and sustainable energy system is of paramount importance to the UK. If we are to achieve it, we must put in what we seek to get out.”

 “EUA have long championed the need for Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS, as a means of allowing the UK to use flexible energy sources such as Hydrogen, to meet seasonal variations, dictated by the UK climate whilst supporting carbon reduction."

 “Government have recognised that ‘power generated by some renewable sources is dependent on the weather, so the UK also needs reliable low carbon power from technologies such as nuclear, gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS), and hydrogen.’”

 

“EUA believe that carbon capture is one of the most significant potential contributors to reducing carbon emissions whilst continuing to utilise the UK’s most valuable asset- the gas grid.”