UK’s first carbon capture project to reuse existing infrastructure

The Crown Estate has awarded an Agreement for Lease to global energy company, Eni, for the first carbon capture and storage project in the UK to repurpose existing pipeline infrastructure, reducing both cost and the environmental impact of construction.

The Agreement for Lease will enable Eni to access the seabed and repurpose existing pipelines and platforms to transport and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the HyNet industrial cluster.

CO2 will be captured at large industrial emitting sites in the North West of England and North Wales. It will then be transported for safe and permanent storage in Eni’s depleted natural gas reservoirs under the seabed of the Irish Sea, preventing emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Once operational, the project will remove up to 10 million tonnes per year after 2030 of CO2 from the atmosphere, equivalent to storing emissions from about two million UK households. This will help the UK’s decarbonisation ambitions, significantly boosting progress towards the target of capturing and storing 20-30Mt of CO2 per year by 2030.

The Crown Estate is working to develop leasing opportunities for carbon storage as a priority, as part of its role as manager of the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is also working with industry and governments to support projects participating in the CCUS Cluster Sequencing Programme and the NSTA’s licensing round.

Nicola Clay, Head of Infrastructure, Coastal & Energies at The Crown Estate, said: “Carbon capture and storage will play a pivotal role in helping the UK reach net zero, and this agreement represents important progress to achieving ambitious carbon capture targets. The Crown Estate is proud to be involved with pioneering projects that support the UK’s transition to net zero and we welcome Eni’s innovative approach to reducing environmental impact by reusing existing transportation and storage infrastructure.

Great British Energy chair, Juergen Maier said: “Carbon capture and storage is a key part of meeting our clean power targets and decarbonising heavy industry. Working alongside The Crown Estate, Great British Energy will be at the forefront in investing in the latest cutting-edge technology.

“Today’s announcement will support the development of the Hynet industrial cluster – one of two being backed today by £21.7 billion of funding over 25 years from the Government.

“Great British Energy’s partnership with The Crown Estate will help ensure these new industries can thrive – benefiting communities and creating good jobs in our industrial heartlands.”