New Report Recommends Urgent Action to Develop the UK’s CCUS Supply Chain

A new report has today been published  by the Nuclear AMRC part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, on behalf of the Supply Chain  Woking Group of the CCUS Council. 

The report “CCUS supply chain intervention strategy,” is the first key output from the CCUS Council  Supply Chain Working Group, Chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt. 

Today’s report concludes that there is a significant opportunity to increase UK manufactured content  in the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage sector, contributing to economic growth and creating  export opportunities – whilst at the same time helping to achieve the UK’s transition to net zero. It  draws on existing market research and adds new analysis on the UK manufacturing supply chain’s  capability and readiness to support this rapidly growing market. 

With targeted development, UK manufacturers can supply all parts of a carbon capture plant.  However, the UK needs to act quickly to establish its capability, competence and capacity in domestic  projects if we are to drive down costs and compete in the much larger global market. To ensure the CCUS supply chain is ready to support CCUS deployment to meet Government targets for 2035 and beyond, the report recommends the establishment of a Fit For CCUS (F4CCUS)  programme, which would “strategically develop existing manufacturing businesses to match to CCUS  sector requirements”. 

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: 

“I welcome this report which outlines the opportunities presented by CCUS technologies for supply  chain companies, creating economic growth and export potential, while helping achieve the UK’s  commitment to net zero.” 

Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of the CCUS Council Supply Chain Working Group and Chair of MakeUK,  said:  

“This report clearly shows the scale of opportunity for UK manufacturing in the supply chain for CCUS  but if we are to make the most of it we must act quickly to raise awareness and build capability and  capacity. We need clear signals from Government to create confidence and this can be done by backing  the proposal to establish a Fit 4 CCUS programme. 

We need to turn this great potential into a reality creating jobs and driving towards our Net Zero goals”

James Smith CBE, Co-chair of the CCUS Council, said: 

“We need an ambitious vision for a low carbon industrial revolution, creating tens of thousands of  skilled, satisfying and well-paid jobs throughout the UK. Time is of the essence to grasp this unique  chance to be world leaders in crucial low carbon technologies.” 

Ruth Herbert, Chief Executive of the CCSA, said:  

“We are entering a critical period for CCUS deployment and the recommendations in today’s report  build on the CCSA’s report “Supply Chain Excellence for CCUS”, setting out further details on how the  UK can maximise the significant economic opportunities that a strong CCUS industry represents. 

The UK has unique advantages, skills and expertise – in both CCUS and hydrogen – and as the first CCUS  clusters move ahead, there is not a moment to lose if the UK supply chain is to capture its share of this  vital net zero industry”. 

Andrew Storer, Chief Executive of the Nuclear AMRC, said: 

“We are delighted to have been asked to lead this piece of work on behalf of the CCUS Council. If we  are to exploit domestic and international opportunities, we must act now to ensure the UK supply chain  is fit and ready to deliver for the national developments. We really hope the results can inspire a  coherent overall approach to CCUS supply chain initiatives, ensuring the UK delivers CCUS to help  achieve Net Zero and provide significant economic impact in key regions in the UK. Therefore, we  recommend launching the F4CCUS programme to enable the UK supply chain to seize the opportunity”.