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Head appointed to new CCS task force

The task force is currently being set up to explore ways in which CCS can become cost competitive with other low carbon technologies within the next 10 years. It will advise the government on measures needed to lower the costs of developing commercial CCS programmes and outline a vision for the next phase by early 2013.

The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) provides funding to seven low carbon heat networks, as announced by Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management.

On his appointment, Dr Chapman said: “I am delighted and honoured to accept the position of chair for the CCS Cost Reduction Task Force. CCS will be an essential and cost-effective technology solution in the mitigation of climate change. Similar to other low-carbon technologies, CCS will incur additional costs in the early years of deployment, but with good planning and optimisation it will be possible to drive down costs in a short timeframe. The sooner we set about this task the sooner we will get on track for cost-efficient decarbonisation of power and industry.”

Energy minister Charles Hendry added: “It is essential that the task force has strong leadership and the confidence of the CCS industry and so I am delighted that Dr Chapman has accepted the role of chair. The Task Force will play a vital role in enabling Government and industry to deliver cost competitive CCS.

“The task force is a key opportunity for industry to put forward their views on what we need to do next to ensure that the costs of CCS comes down, enabling the technology to compete with other low carbon options by the early 2020s. I look forward to receiving the task force’s report early next year.”