ScottishPower today flicked the switch on a groundbreaking test project that will see CO2 emissions extracted from Longannet power station - the first time in the UK that they have been captured from a working coal-fired power plant and putting the company on track to deliver a full CCS demonstration project by 2014 in line with government objectives.

The prototype, developed by Aker Clean Carbon, is an exact, small-scale replica of a full-scale carbon capture plant. It will allow ScottishPower to test the complex chemistry involved in capturing CO2 from power station flue gases and is a major milestone in delivering the reality of carbon emission free coal generation.

At the same time, ScottishPower's parent company Iberdrola, the fourth largest energy company in the world, confirmed that it will establish a global Centre of Excellence to develop CCS technology in the UK. To launch this, the company announced today that it will be funding a Chair in Carbon Capture and Storage at the University of Edinburgh to provide a academic focus for the Centre of Excellence.

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Iberdrola and ScottishPower Chairman Ignacio Galán, said: "This prototype carbon capture unit is a major step on the road towards our Centre of Excellence and the essential data from the unit will shape our research. We are proud to be working with the University of Edinburgh, and this partnership will be pivotal in developing our Centre of Excellence."

The prototype unit, which weighs 30 tonnes and covers an area of 85m2, will be able to process 1,000 cubic metres of exhaust gas per hour from Longannet. Amongst other tests being carried out, ScottishPower scientists will be monitoring the effectiveness of the chemical amine solution that captures the CO2 under different conditions.

Speaking at Longannet as the test unit was switched on, Nick Horler, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, said: "This is the first time that CCS technology has been switched on and working at an operational coal-fired power station in the UK, and is a major step forward in delivering the reality of carbon-free fossil fuel electricity generation."

In a message of support to ScottishPower, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, said: "This represents a significant response by ScottishPower to the climate change agenda, and it is one I welcome. For our part, the Government is fully committed to both securing Britain’s energy future and to meeting our carbon emissions target and I hope that the research emerging from the MTU project will make a major contribution to achieving our shared aims."

(GK/JM)