Businesses behind carbon capture and storage plans for the Humber have welcomed Budget backing for the Net Zero solution, calling on greater detail to emerge quickly.
A £20 billion investment pledge had been outlined ahead of today’s Westminster announcement, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also making it a central plank of his hour-long speech at the despatch box. Now firm timelines are sought on when key elements will emerge and individual projects will be supported to move to construction. It is understood it could come later this month.
The Humber Energy Board, a public-private partnership forged to provide a single voice for the vital sector, had already urged the Government to make the Humber the flag bearer for Net Zero decarbonisation in a pre-Budget call, with SSE also pushing hard with a call to supercharge the low carbon technology roll-out. Amid both came the launch of the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan, again stating urgency and certainty was needed.
Read more: Keadby Two Power Station enters commercial operations
Drax is behind plans at its huge power station, the western start point for a huge network taking emissions out to storage below the North Sea.
It is now seeking a firm commitment as soon as possible to its Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage project to clean up its biomass-fed operations. It is the world's largest proposal.
Will Gardiner, chief executive, said: “The UK Government has a clear opportunity to turn this country into the world leader in carbon removals technology. Whilst we welcome the Government’s ambition to invest billions in carbon capture and storage, we need them to provide us with a firm commitment to BECCS before we invest £2 billion in this UK project.
“It is critical that in the planned announcement at the end of the month Government outlines further support for BECCS because this project will be instrumental in delivering security of supply, net zero and levelling-up and providing certainty as to the future of Drax Power Station.
“In order for the UK to be at the forefront of the green arms race, Government must quickly lay out a detailed, timed and funded plan which offers renewable energy companies like Drax the confidence to continue to invest in this country. Over recent months international interest in pioneering BECCS has grown and we are increasingly excited about the opportunities to deploy BECCS in the US and are currently screening over 10 potential new projects there.”
At the eastern end of the Zero Carbon Humber project pipeline that feeds into the East Coast Cluster sits Equinor, with hydrogen production at H2H Saltend and a joint share in Triton Power, as well as CCS plans with partner SSE for Keadby.
Grete Tveit, senior vice president at Equinor: “We welcome the Government’s announcement which demonstrates its commitment to carbon capture and storage technology, as well as its ambition to put the UK at the forefront of this opportunity. With this level of investment, the unique advantages of the East Coast Cluster and our 25 years’ experience of operating carbon capture in Norway, we’re confident that we can make this a thriving sector for the UK.
“We look forward to hearing greater detail, including imminent decisions on which projects will progress through the Cluster Sequencing Process Phase Two. This is vital in order unlock the private investment necessary to deliver the jobs, supply chain opportunities and emissions reductions on the UK’s road to net zero.”
Read next:
RWE eyeing up carbon capture power station plan for South Humber Bank
Humber Industrial Cluster Plan unveiled with seven key asks to set stage for Net Zero transformation
Humber's freeport status could be declared in days
ABP turns to wind power for ports with turbine plans for Grimsby
Brewery puts Net Zero industry solution on the lips of many
All your Humber business news in one place - bookmark it now
