The construction of two major projects to capture carbon from cement production and waste incineration are a critical milestone in the nation’s emissions reduction journey, says Offshore Energies UK.
The schemes in Flintshire, North Wales, and Cheshire will secure 500 jobs and will involve storing carbon emissions captured from a range of industries deep below the seabed.
They are part of the HyNet carbon capture cluster approved by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in April as a key step towards net zero in 2050, which means cutting the UK’s carbon emissions to zero overall.
Technology to capture carbon dioxide and pipe it to long-term storage deep underground or under the sea will cut emissions from industrial processes, hydrogen production and gas power plants.
The Government has pledged nearly £22billion in support over 25 years to develop carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teesside to create thousands of jobs, draw in private investment and help the UK meet its climate goals, with £9.4 billion of investment announced at the spending review.
The two projects ready to begin construction after signing final contracts with the Government, include the UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement facility at Padeswood, Flintshire, developed by Heidelberg Materials UK, and one of the world’s first major waste-to-energy facilities enabled with carbon capture at Protos, in Ellesmere Port, a project developed by Encyclis.
Enrique Cornejo, head of policy at Offshore Energies UK said: "This is a critical milestone which can prevent greenhouse gas from industrial processes from entering the atmosphere by allowing businesses to connect to carbon dioxide storage and transport systems.
"It shows the essential role of carbon capture and storage for businesses such as cement production and energy from waste schemes which burn household rubbish to generate power. It also protects thousands of jobs in the UK’s industrial heartlands.
"Projects like these are possible thanks to the infrastructure, skills, people, and investment of our integrated offshore energy sector and this is only the beginning.
"The full carbon capture and storage project pipeline must be constructed for us to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets. That means securing funding for final investment in the so-called Track 2 clusters around the Humber and North East Scotland, before the end of this Parliament.
"It also means creating a viable route to market for other carbon capture projects outside the cluster sequencing process. Industry is ready to deliver, but a clear delivery framework is essential to unlock the full potential of carbon capture and storage in the UK."