CCUS and Hydrogen Must Play a Key Part in Decarbonising the UK Energy System

7 April 2022, London – The Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), the trade body for the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) industry in the UK, welcomes the British Energy Security Strategy published today. The Strategy reaffirms Government’s commitment to delivering 4 CCUS clusters by 2030 and sets out new commitments to accelerate deployment of low-carbon energy sources – to deliver a decarbonised electricity system by 2030. This includes 10GW of low carbon hydrogen.

Earlier this week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III report on ‘Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change’ emphasised the vital role that CCUS must play in tackling climate change, highlighting the increased role of both Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACS) and Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) to compensate for residual greenhouse gas emissions in scenarios that limit global warming to 2°C or 1.5°C.

 Olivia Powis, Head of UK Office at the CCSA, said:

 “Today’s Energy Strategy emphasises the key role that CCUS and hydrogen will play in delivering a net zero electricity system and Government has responded by doubling their hydrogen target to 10GW. With up to 5GW of this being provided by blue hydrogen, it is clear that CCUS is central to decarbonising the energy sector. As the IPCC concluded in their report this week; if we are to meet Paris Agreement goals and avoid stranded energy assets, CCUS is crucial.

It is therefore critical that the British Energy Security Strategy aligns with the IPCC recommendations and we look forward to working with Government and the Future System Operator in the coming months, to ensure CCUS can fulfil its role in creating a more self-reliant and low-carbon UK energy system.”