Karen Adam Calls for Urgent Action on Acorn Project After Months of UK Government Delay
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Karen Adam raised serious concerns in Parliament about the future of the Acorn carbon capture project, a project long promised but still not delivered by the UK Government.
In June, UK Ministers pledged to “end the dither and delay” by committing £200 million to Acorn. Six months on, not a single penny has reached developers, and reports now suggest that one of the project’s major partners is considering selling its stake.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Karen Adam highlighted the mounting risks for Scotland’s energy sector, particularly in the North East, following repeated failures by the UK Government to support major industrial sites.
Ms Adam said:
“After failing to step in at Grangemouth and Mossmorran, and after keeping in place an Energy Profits Levy that is throttling investment, it’s becoming painfully clear that Scottish industry is being left to fend for itself. If the UK Government fails to act on Acorn, it will be obvious to communities across the North East that Westminster has abandoned Scottish jobs and the industries that sustain them.”
With GB Energy due to set out its five-year plan, Ms Adam asked the First Minister whether the publicly owned company should intervene if a private buyer cannot be secured for the Acorn stake.
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Karen Adam added:
“Here in Banffshire and Buchan Coast, we live every day with the consequences of indecision from Westminster. Our communities, our workers, and our future industries cannot be left in limbo any longer.
If a private buyer cannot be found, then GB Energy must have the power, and the political backing, to step in and keep Acorn on track. This project is too important for our region’s economy, too important for our net-zero future, and too important for the people whose livelihoods depend on a fair and managed transition. We deserve action, not more broken promises.”
The First Minister agreed that the UK Government must honour its commitments and confirmed that the Scottish Government will continue pressing UK Ministers to release the funding urgently and protect the future of the Acorn project.