Scottish and Viking Clusters join the UK Government CCUS Programme
The Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), the trade body for the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) industry in Europe, welcomes today’s announcement from the UK Government regarding the selection of the next two CCUS clusters in the UK to be built by 2030.
The Government has today announced that the Scottish Cluster and the Viking cluster in the Humber, will move forward to the next stage of deployment as ‘Track 2 clusters’, as part of the Government’s CCUS cluster sequencing programme. These clusters have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 19 million tonnes collectively, thereby making a significant contribution to the Government’s ambition to store 20-30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030, as well as helping to put the UK on a pathway to storing over 50million tonnes a year by 2035, in line with its Net Zero Strategy.
Ruth Herbert, Chief Executive at the CCSA, said:
“We are pleased to see the UK Government pushing ahead with its CCUS deployment programme and selecting the next two CCUS clusters, as time is running out to meet 2030 targets. This CO2 infrastructure is critical to safeguarding the UK’s supply chain security, enabling local industries to continue to thrive whilst reducing their emissions as we transition to a net zero economy.
It is therefore vital that the Government urgently sets out clarity on the process and timeline for selecting carbon capture sites within these ‘Track-2’ clusters and within the previously announced Track-1 cluster expansion. Billions of pounds of investment is waiting to be deployed to decarbonise these industrial regions, but firm plans are required to secure it.
There are a number of other clusters under development across the country, which is why last year we asked government for visibility of the longer-term CCUS deployment plan. Collectively, CCUS clusters could protect 77,000 current jobs and create a further 70,000 jobs across the UK. Government’s forthcoming vision for the UK CCUS sector needs to be published as soon as possible, to avoid investment flight in those regions that have not been selected today.”
Dr Nick Cooper, CEO of Acorn lead developer Storegga, said:
“We are thrilled that the Acorn Project has advanced directly into Track-2. Acorn has been progressed by the development partners as the Track-1 reserve since late 2021 and is ready to move promptly to support the decarbonisation of Scotland and the wider UK.
“Today’s news is a defining milestone for us, and the Scottish Cluster. Acorn will be a major contributor towards meeting the UK and Scotland’s carbon reduction targets, able to serve emitters connected by pipeline and ship.
“As Lead Developer, Storegga thanks Acorn partners and Scottish Cluster participants for their support and we look forward to working with Government to deliver the multiple benefits of creating and future-proofing jobs, bringing inward economic investment, developing green-tech industries and, crucially helping decarbonise Scotland and the UK.”
Harbour Energy’s Executive Vice President of Net Zero and CCS Steve Cox said:
“The successful award of Track 2 status to Harbour’s Viking CCS project in the Humber as well as Acorn in northeast Scotland is another demonstration of how we are well positioned to use our existing skills and infrastructure to help develop the burgeoning CCS industry in the UK.
“More widely, the announcement today shows the key role the North Sea oil and gas sector will play in helping to deliver the UK’s carbon capture goals.”
