 The institute will look at generating electricity and minimising gases |
Calls have been made for Aberdeen to be the base for a new �1bn energy research centre after ambitious plans were detailed. The Energy Technologies Institute will investigate how to generate electricity while minimising carbon gases which scientists say warm the planet.
It will be funded by energy companies and the government and a tendering process for the base will be launched.
Aberdeen South MP Anne Begg said the city would be a good choice.
The centre was first mentioned by the Chancellor in his last budget, but the plans have only just been published.
It is not known yet where the institute will be hosted, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is inviting companies to express interest in participating in the institute by the end of November.
The DTI has already promised to provide half of the overall funding for the institute, up to �500m over the next decade.
It could be fully operational by 2008.
Labour MP Ms Begg told BBC Scotland: "Aberdeen has all the kind of contacts that you would need to be the centre.
"We have got world class universities that are doing cutting edge research and links to oil and gas across the world.
"These are crucial things the DTI will be looking too.
"However, it will not necessarily come to Aberdeen unless we put up a very good fight and very good case to get it here."
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Aberdeen has all the kind of contacts that you would need to be the centre
