Northern Endurance Partnership secures financial close for UK’s first CCS project

The Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) has reached a significant milestone by achieving financial close, paving the way for the UK’s first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. Northern Endurance Partnership, in which TotalEnergies holds a 10% stake, will facilitate the permanent storage of up to 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, representing a major leap toward achieving the UK’s net-zero targets.

This project will initially serve three prominent carbon capture initiatives in the Teesside region—NZT Power, H2Teesside, and Teesside Hydrogen CO2 Capture. The infrastructure encompasses an onshore CO2 gathering network, state-of-the-art compression facilities, and a 145-kilometre offshore pipeline leading to the Endurance saline aquifer. Located approximately 1,000 metres beneath the seabed, Endurance has the capacity to store an estimated 450 million tonnes of CO2.

Construction Timeline and Vision

The Northern Endurance Partnership plans to begin construction by mid-2025, with CO2 storage operations expected to commence by 2028. This timeline underscores the UK’s commitment to spearheading clean energy initiatives and reducing emissions in industrial regions. Northern Endurance Partnership also serves as the backbone of the East Coast Cluster (ECC), which was prioritised by the UK government in 2021 as part of its carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) strategy.

Chris Daykin, Director of Northern Endurance Partnership, remarked that this achievement marks a pivotal moment for the UK’s CCUS infrastructure, highlighting its potential to contribute significantly to the UK’s 2050 net-zero ambition. He attributed the project’s progress to strong backing from shareholders and the government.

Endurance and CCS Regulatory Milestones

The Endurance aquifer, central to the NEP’s operations, is a geological structure located in the southern North Sea. It forms part of the region’s immense potential to store nearly 1 billion tonnes of CO2, considering other nearby sites. NEP has been granted both the UK’s first Carbon Dioxide Transport and Storage Licence under the Transportation and Storage Regulatory Investment (TRI) regime and a CO2 Storage Permit from the North Sea Transition Authority.

These regulatory approvals provide the framework necessary for the safe injection and long-term storage of CO2. Arnaud Le Foll, Senior Vice President for New Business – Carbon Neutrality at TotalEnergies, noted that the project leverages decades of expertise in geosciences and large-scale operations, enabling TotalEnergies to play a pivotal role in global decarbonisation efforts.

Industrial Impact and Government Backing

Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, hailed the NEP project as the dawn of a clean energy revolution in Britain. He emphasised its role in boosting energy security, supporting industrial revitalisation, and creating thousands of skilled jobs in Teesside and the North East.

This venture not only sets the benchmark for carbon storage capabilities but also positions the UK as a leader in CCUS technology, essential for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like chemicals, steel, and power generation.

The Bigger Picture in Carbon Capture

Northern Endurance Partnership forms a critical part of TotalEnergies’ wider commitment to reducing residual emissions through CCS projects. Alongside initiatives such as Northern Lights in Norway and Bayou Bend in the US, NEP exemplifies the industry’s shift towards sustainable energy solutions.

As the East Coast Cluster’s key infrastructure provider, Northern Endurance Partnership is poised to play a transformative role in creating a blueprint for future CCS projects worldwide. The project’s successful execution will establish the UK as a frontrunner in tackling industrial emissions and securing a cleaner, more sustainable future.