The costs of CCS and other low-carbon technologies: 2015 update

This paper examines costs of major low and zero emissions technologies currently available in power generation and compares them in terms of emissions reduction potential and costs. The analysis uses cost and performance data from several recent studies in the United States, and applies a common methodology and economic parameters to derive comparable lifetime costs per generation output and of CO2 avoided. The analysis demonstrates that CCS is a cost competitive power sector emissions reduction tool when considered among the range of available low and zero emissions technologies. While CCS adds additional costs to traditional fossil fuel generation, the underlying coal and gas generation technology and fuel sources are relatively cheap, and CCS has higher rates of utilisation than some renewables technologies.