UK East Coast Cluster Teesside CCUS selection process launches

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened applications from carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) projects seeking to connect to the East Coast Cluster Teesside network by 2032.

DESNZ will assess applications through the ECC Teesside Selection Process to identify projects that could connect to the network and make use of remaining capacity at the Endurance offshore site.

Expressions of interest must be lodged by 10 March and applications close a month later.

Olivia Powis, CEO at the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, said the launch of the selection process marks another significant milestone in the development of a large-scale CCUS sector in the UK.

“The introduction of the Transition Access Agreement, which will allow projects requiring low or no government support to apply to the East Coast Cluster, is an important step in broadening access and accelerating deployment – demonstrating that the industry is working towards a self-sustaining model,” she said.

“Ensuring that projects are ready to connect to the network from 2030 will be essential to achieving industrial decarbonisation, safeguarding and creating skilled jobs, strengthening the UK’s energy security, and maximising the value of this critical new infrastructure.”

She added that today’s announcement, alongside the publication of a consultation on non-pipeline transport, also advances the development of market arrangements for projects seeking to transport carbon for storage by road, rail, or ship.

“These developments will significantly expand opportunities for CCUS,” she added.

But she expressed disappointment that such projects are not yet able to apply directly to the selection process announced today, particularly given the urgency of getting non-pipeline transport underway.

“We encourage the Government to ensure that the NPT Pathfinder and consultation are used to rapidly advance market arrangements to enable their participation in future selection processes” she said.

The East Coast Cluster will be enabled by the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), the partnership between bp, Equinor and TotalEnergies developing the common infrastructure needed to transport CO2 from emitters across the Humber and Teesside to secure offshore storage in the Endurance aquifer in the Southern North Sea.

Expression of interest forms can be emailed to: ECCTeessideSelection@energysecurity.gov.uk

source: gasworld.com

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