FOI/202000063828 · FOI · partially withheld
CCUS (carbon capture, usage and storage) funding: FOI release
Information requested
Information on the Scottish Governments funding towards CCS/CCUS projects outlined here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/oil-and-gas/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage/ -How much funding specifically has been contributed or will be given towards the ACT Acorn Feasibility study (https://www.actacorn.eu) by the Scottish Government. -How much funding is being allocated to the NECCUS project and over what time period (date start-end) has this funding been allocated. -As part of the Elegancy CCS project, a research proposal submitted to ACT Eranet by a collective of research, industry, and government bodies from the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands how much financial support has been contributed to this project by the Scottish Government. As partners in Align CCUS project submitted to ACT Eranet how much funding specifically is the Scottish Government giving to this project. If possible I would like the rubric or funding criteria information or documentation outlining the budget allocation for the above named projects.”
Response
Responses to all of your questions can be found in Annex A to this letter. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide a small amount of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption applies because it is the personal data of a third party (the names and contact details of staff below Senior Civil Service level, and the signatures of other individuals) and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the public interest test, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.
ANNEX A – INFORMATION RELEASED
1. How much funding specifically has been contributed or will be given towards the ACT Acorn Feasibility study (https://www.actacorn.eu) by the Scottish Government. While the Scottish Government has not provided any direct funding or financial backing to ACT Acorn’s feasibility study, we did provide a contribution of £175,000 towards the EU’s Project of Common Interest (PCI) for ACT Acorn, with funding being used to drive forward the Feasibility Study. Furthermore, Scottish Government officials have engaged with ACT Acorn representatives to provide policy support over the course of the Study.
2. How much funding is being allocated to the NECCUS project and over what time period (date start-end) has this funding been allocated. The Scottish Government has committed to providing NECCUS with start-up funding of up to £300,000 over the two financial years 2019/20, and 2020/21. NECCUS claimed £67,000 in the financial year 2019/20.
3. As part of the Elegancy CCS project, a research proposal submitted to ACT Eranet by a collective of research, industry, and government bodies from the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands how much financial support has been contributed to this project by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government has not provided any direct funding or financial backing to the ELEGANCY CCS project. Scottish Government officials have engaged with ELEGANCY representatives to provide policy support over the course of the project.
4. As partners in Align CCUS project submitted to ACT Eranet how much funding specifically is the Scottish Government giving to this project. The Scottish Government has not provided any direct funding or financial backing to the Align CCUS project. Scottish Government officials have engaged with representatives to provide policy support over the course of the project.
5. If possible I would like the rubric or funding criteria information or documentation outlining the budget allocation for the above named projects. The Scottish Government is able to provide the unsigned grant offer letter for Financial Year 2020/2021 from the Deputy Director of Energy Industries, Andrew Hogg, to one of NECCUS’ Directors, Mr Alan James. This can be found in Annex B to this letter (attached separately). We are also able to provide the signed grant offer letter for Financial Year 2020/2021 from Andrew Hogg to Mr Alan James. This letter can be found in Annex C to this letter (attached separately).
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide a small amount of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption applies because it is the personal data of a third party (the names and contact details of staff below Senior Civil Service level, and the signatures of other individuals) and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the public interest test, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.