The development of CCS technology, supported by the country through funding, would allow the safe removal and storage of harmful carbon emissions from coal and gas plants.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said the latest announcement is an important step toward a new industry that would help reduce UK’s carbon emissions and create thousands of jobs.
"The projects we have chosen to take forward have all shown that they have the potential to kick-start the creation of a new CCS industry in the UK, but further discussions are needed to ensure we deliver value-for-money for taxpayers," Davey added.
"We have one of the best offers in the world and are a leading country in Europe. We will remain in close contact with the European Commission in the coming months as they take their decisions on which projects to support with European funding."
The four short listed bids are for following projects – 570MW Captain Clean Energy project in Grangemouth, Scotland; Shell and SSE led 340MW Peterhead project; Teesside Low Carbon project on Teesside, North East England; and White Rose Project in North Yorkshire.
