2500 jobs in £2.5 billion carbon capture plant for Grangemouth

GBTron Power Ltd, part of Singapore-based energy company LNG9, considered a number of sites in Scotland, but has now reached an initial agreement with Forth Ports to begin detailed feasibility studies on land and river berthing for its proposed operations at Grangemouth.

The £2.5 billion proposal will create up to 2500 new jobs during the construction phase, and many hundreds of direct and indirect full-time skilled jobs once the power station is operational.

The firm has informed both the UK and Scottish Governments of its plans and is in initial discussion with Falkirk Council about its proposals.

A GBTron Power Ltd spokesperson said: “Our proposals support the UK and Scottish Governments’ carbon reduction targets, particularly given our intention to produce hydrogen, which can be utilised to replace existing carbon fuels.”

The plans also offer the prospect of advancing national Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) targets by capturing CO2 emissions generated by the proposed 2.4 GW power plant and then transferring them by pipeline for permanent storage below the North Sea.

Scottish Government support for CCS is one of the key reasons behind GBTron’s proposals and site selection.

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Aberdeen-based company, Pale Blu Dot, has been selected to develop the proposal for the CCS options as part of the feasibility studies.

GBTron believes that Scotland is uniquely placed for the development of a power plant with net-zero carbon emissions because of the potential to link to a CCS solution in the North Sea.

Over the coming months, the company will initiate a detailed evaluation and consultation programme before starting the planning process.

GBTron chairman Swapan Kataria said: “Our proposals will make a significant contribution to transitioning Scotland’s energy infrastructure towards a net-zero carbon future with secure and competitive electricity.”

The announcement about GBTron’s proposals is particularly timely given that Scotland is set to become a net importer of electricity when the Hunterston B nuclear power station on the west coast of Scotland closes in 2021.

Furthermore, the closures of Longannet and Cockenzie power stations has also reduced the country’s baseload capacity.

Scotland, which has invested heavily in wind energy over recent years, is already dependent on importing power from England on days when the wind does not blow.

The proposals would involve shipping LNG into the River Forth where project partner Crown LNG of Norway could provide specialist operational support.

Additionally, GBTron, in partnership with UK-based G-Volution, intends to build an engine conversion facility at another location, so that clean fuels such as LNG and liquid hydrogen can be used in the automotive, rail and marine sectors.

This proposed move will promote the distribution of LNG and liquid hydrogen around Scotland and the rest of the UK by rail or ship, making a substantial contribution to reducing carbon emissions.

Mr Kataria says: “We have started engaging with industry-leading companies around the world looking into project planning, consenting, engineering and procurement. The project would create major opportunities for supply chain companies throughout Scotland.

“GBTron is committed to an open and clear consultation process and will be looking to start discussions with the local community and other stakeholders as early as possible – while adhering to the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 guidelines.”

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