Carbon capture and storage (CCS) appears to be losing its momentum as an “exciting prospect” in clean coal technology development, delegates at the 16th Fossil Fuel Foundation (FFF) Conference on Clean Coal to Clean Energy commented on Monday, following a CCS conference held in Johannesburg last week.

Without criticising the technology, independent consultant Dave Collins and FFF codirector Paul White explained to Engineering News Online that the perception could be fueled by the slow rate of development of the technology.

White said storage capacity for CCS was limited, as in the case in South Africa, and that the development of the technology was not as fast as people had envisaged.

Meanwhile, he made a strong call for the alignment of South African legislation as the country transitioned to a low-carbon economy in meeting its energy needs.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan stressed in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement last week the need for the alignment of trade, investment and energy policies to support the transition to a green economy.

White said there was an urgent need for South Africa to look into a risk analysis of all energy sources outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan.

“It would be premature to replace or phase out coal without a mature and established renewable energy sources in the country,” he said.
 

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