Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP has thrown his weight behind the campaign to win €180 million of European funding to develop Carbon Capture and Storage technology at Longannet power station in Fife.

Longannet power station is one of four UK stations that is eligible to bid for the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) funding which has been allocated to the UK.

Mr Scott has written to ScottishPower to officially support their bid for Longannet.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

"I fully support ScottishPower's bid to secure funding for Carbon Capture development at Longannet.

"Turning Longannet into one of Europe's most advanced Carbon Capture facilities would be good for Scotland and fantastic for Fife.

"Scotland has the potential to lead the world in Carbon Capture technology. Having recently visited Longannet myself I am fully aware of the expertise and possibilities that exist at the plant.

"Developing and perfecting this technology is vital if we are to tackle the climate change issue facing our planet. It would also help Scotland to meet the strong targets set out in the recent Climate Change Bill.

"ScottishPower's bid would deliver major environmental and economic benefits for Scotland. It would also help in the development of a low carbon industry, allowing us to emerge stronger from the current recession."

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