UK advances towards carbon neutrality with Net Zero Teesside Project approval

In a significant stride towards achieving carbon neutrality, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has granted development consent to the Net Zero Teesside Project. This landmark decision paves the way for the implementation of a full chain carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) project in Teesside, UK. The project, spearheaded by Net Zero Teesside Power Limited (NZT Power) and Net Zero North Sea Storage Limited (NZNS Storage), represents a critical advancement in the UK’s efforts to decarbonize its industrial sectors.

The Net Zero Teesside Project encompasses a comprehensive CO2 gathering network, including pipeline connections from industrial facilities across Teesside. These pipelines are designed to transport captured CO2 under the tidal River Tees to a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) electricity generating station. The station, with an abated capacity of approximately 850 gigawatts output, will feature cooling water, gas, and electricity grid connections, alongside CO2 capture facilities. Additionally, a CO2 gathering/booster station will receive captured CO2, which will then be transported through an onshore pipeline to an offshore geological storage site in the North Sea.

Submitted for examination on 19 July 2021 and accepted on 16 August 2021, the application underwent a thorough public examination process. This allowed for local communities, statutory consultees, and interested parties to present evidence, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s potential impact. The Planning Inspectorate, having examined over 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the introduction of the Planning Act 2008 process, emphasized the project’s engagement with local communities and the careful consideration of all views before making its recommendations.

NZT Power’s proposed gas-fired power and carbon capture project aims to position Teesside as the UK’s first decarbonized industrial cluster. With the potential to generate up to 860 megawatts of low-carbon electricity—enough to power up to 1.3 million homes annually—this project marks a significant milestone in the UK’s transition towards sustainable energy sources. Furthermore, the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) plays a vital role in realizing the net-zero vision by facilitating the capture and secure offshore storage of CO2 from carbon-emitting projects in the area.

The selection of the East Coast Cluster, which includes Net Zero Teesside, as a priority cluster in the UK Government’s CCUS cluster sequencing process underscores the national commitment to decarbonization. With ongoing negotiations for further projects under the CCUS initiative, the Net Zero Teesside Project stands as a testament to the UK’s dedication to pioneering sustainable industrial practices and contributing to global environmental goals.

The approval of the Net Zero Teesside Project is a monumental step forward in the UK’s quest for a sustainable and decarbonized future. By harnessing innovative carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies, this project not only addresses the urgent need for reducing carbon emissions but also sets a precedent for the development of green industrial clusters globally. As the UK moves closer to its net-zero goals, the success of the Net Zero Teesside Project will undoubtedly inspire similar initiatives worldwide, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to environmental stewardship in combating climate change.