There are “potential synergies” between emerging coal burning technologies and emission reduction techniques which could boost Scotland’s energy output without harming the environment, according to First Minister Alex Salmond.
The Greens have urged the Scottish Government to stop the “damaging and destructive distraction” of unconventional gas extraction, such as the schemes currently licensed in the North Sea or proposed for the Firth of Forth.
But Mr Salmond said Scotland must recognise the potential for new energy technologies.
“The coal authority, which is of course a UK non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, has issued six licences for underground coal gasification in Scotland,” he said at First Minister’s Questions.
“All of these licenses are offshore Scotland or in the estuaries.
“However, no underground coal gasification project can proceed in Scotland without a range of other permissions including local planning and environmental consent, which of course are devolved.”
Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The scientific consensus is that we already have far too many fossil fuels to burn safely.
“His legacy should be a Scotland that meets its climate change targets, that leads the world in climate justice and delivers thousands of more new jobs in renewables.
“The Scottish Government must use the powers it has to stop the damaging and destructive distraction of unconventional gas extraction in Scotland.”
Mr Salmond said: “The Scottish Government recognises the concern that Alison Johnstone has but also recognises that it has to see the potential for new energy technologies.
“We also recognise the potential synergies between technologies like underground coal gasification and carbon capture and storage, where CO2 emissions can be captured at source and transported for storage offshore making it an extremely effective environmental process.”
He added: “We have been very clear that when it comes to new technologies we need to proceed cautiously and take an evidenced-based approach to ensure that the environment is protected and, above all, that local communities concerns are properly taken into account.”
