Local MSP Stewart Stevenson has reacted with anger after BP announced that it was not now proceeding with the plan for a carbon capture plant at Peterhead.
The change of plan is a direct consequence of the Westminster Government’s Energy White Paper which would have meant a further delay for the project and BP and its partners – who had already spent £70million on the project – decided it could not accept further delays from the UK Government.
Mr Stevenson commented:
"This is deeply disappointing news for the local economy, for BP, and also for the environment and I am extremely angry that the UK Government’s muddling and lack of vision has meant that this multi-million pound investment has now been lost from the North-east.
"Peterhead was set to benefit from the huge investment and jobs which would have resulted and also have the prestige of playing host to a world first in terms of environmentally-friendly technology. That opportunity has now been lost thanks to the dithering and indecision of the London Government.
"It is deeply disappointing news indeed."