Shell U.K Limited and National Grid are joining ScottishPower's carbon capture and storage (CCS) consortium, as the energy company sets out to deliver the UK's first commercial size CCS system operating from a coal-fired power station by 2014.

The consortium is forging ahead with this new technology to help Britain lead the way in tackling climate change.

They are in the process of submitting a bid for the UK Government's CCS competition.

Announcing the appointments ScottishPower Chief Executive, Nick Horler, said: "I am delighted to welcome Shell and National Grid to the team. Both of these companies will bring specialist knowledge, expertise and opportunities for growth in the development of this cutting edge technology.

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"For the consortium the two new companies represent a 'perfect fit' as it strives to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% from its power plant at Longannet in Scotland."

Shell is a global leader in exploration and production of oil and gas and is already taking part in a variety of projects to capture and geologically store CCS - this makes the company ideally placed to be part of the CCS consortium.

Meanwhile National Grid is the owner and operator of the UK’s gas pipeline system and has expertise in high-pressure pipelines.

The companies are joining the Norwegian CO2 removal specialists Aker Clean Carbon in the ScottishPower consortium.

Mr Horler added: "For ScottishPower, the fact that a company of the size and scope of Shell has chosen to join our Carbon Capture consortium is a considerable coup and a significant boost to our bid.

"The addition of Shell and National Grid to an already first class team represents an even greater chance of developing a technology that will be vital in tackling climate change."

John Gallagher, Vice President - from Shell said: "We are delighted to be joining the ScottishPower led CCS Consortium. Shell believes CCS is a technology that will be vital to tackling climate change and we believe that at this stage it is essential that we 'learn by doing' in order to reduce costs, accelerate technology and ultimately make CCS commercially viable."

(GK/BMcC)