CCSA Blog: Reflections from new CCSA staff members

Over the past 7 months the CCSA team has expanded rapidly, and we have been delighted to welcome 6 new staff members across our London and Brussels offices. Here our new hires reflect on their time at the CCSA so far, and discuss what they have been working on and what they are most looking forward to in the future. 

Olivia Trimborn, Public Affairs and Communications Officer

I joined the CCSA team in mid-February, and my current responsibilities encompass supporting the CCUS All Party Parliamentary Group and influencing legislation, coordinating with parliamentarians and stakeholders, and engaging with the press and social media. 

Looking ahead, I’m excited to support the CCSA’s presence at the Party Conferences, which are taking place over the next couple of weeks. A significant milestone we eagerly anticipate is the Energy Bill reaching royal assent, a crucial piece of legislation that has been propelled by the collective determination of the CCSA, our members, and supporting parliamentarians, ensuring the significance of CCUS remains at the forefront. 

As we witness the escalating momentum within the CCUS industry, I am humbled to contribute my efforts as part of the diligent and accomplished team here at the CCSA. 

Kristina Antoniou, Membership Communications and Events Officer

I joined the CCSA at the end of February, supporting the London team’s communications, events and membership activities. I have particularly enjoyed supporting the CCSA’s busy programme of events, especially the new Member Discussion Forums, and our President’s Reception in July. 

The CCUS sector has seen tremendous growth in the past few months, with major government announcements on the Cluster Sequencing Programme. I’m looking forward to seeing the industry further develop and truly start kicking into action, as well as supporting the extensive ongoing preparation for the CCSA’s annual conference taking place in just under three weeks. 

Max Musing, Policy Officer

Since I joined the CCSA back in March, at a critical moment for the CCUS sector, my focus has been on helping to formulate our response to key CCUS policy developments, and building momentum for the development of a homegrown CCUS supply chain through the work of the Supply Chain Working Group and the publication of the CCSA Supply Chain Good Practice Guidance and the CCUS Workforce and Skills Position Paper.                               

I am particularly looking forward to building on this foundational work and galvanising the opportunities offered by CCUS supply chain development, and assisting our members to take advantage of the various domestic and international opportunities that are on offer. 

Rebecca Bell, Research and Projects Manager

I joined the team at the end of May – although part of the London team, I live in Edinburgh, so I spend a lot of time being envious of the weather my colleagues are enjoying!  Since I started, I’ve been working on the update to our Delivery Plan, which has just been published this week – and it feels like I’ve released my baby into the world! I’ve also been working on a map of the CO₂ capture projects in the UK, and a study looking at the potential size of the global market for low-carbon products made using CCS and/or hydrogen. 

I’m looking forward to getting the capture map published and having people use the map and our updated Delivery Plan. I’m also looking forward to getting some spades in the ground and getting CCS projects and infrastructure built – and doing what I can to help the industry get to that stage. 

Kristin Heidebroek, EU Public Affairs and Communications Officer

I have joined the CCSA team based in Brussels, supporting the work of the Zero Emissions Platform – the European initiative advising the EU and advocating for the accelerated deployment of CCS and CCU. As part of the Secretariat, my primary focus has been on ensuring that the voices of the CCS and CCU community resonate in European policymaking.  

This is a turning point to achieve climate neutrality. By being part of the CCSA at this pivotal moment, with CCS gaining tremendous traction, I am looking forward to contributing actively to the collective efforts that steer European policies in the right direction. 

Beth Hebditch, Policy Manager

This September I joined the CCSA’s UK Policy team, where my primary focus will be co-ordinating the CCSA’s Technical Working Group. During my first few weeks I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with industry, committees, and policy makers on the technical aspects of CCUS research, planning and deployment.  

I have joined the team at an action-packed time as the CCUS sector reacts to crucial announcements (such as the £20 billion funding allocation and Track 2 cluster sequencing). With our members I am excited to explore the practical realities of CCUS policy as projects gain momentum and the UK’s industrial and energy sectors make considerable steps towards decarbonisation.  

The full CCSA team at our President’s Reception in July.

Carbon capture technology holds potential to unlock around £40 billion investment for UK economy by 2030

Accelerating deployment of carbon capture and storage in the UK could secure around £40 billion of inward investment by 2030, a new study of the technology’s potential reveals today.

The Carbon Capture and Storage Association’s (CCSA) new Delivery Plan has examined the pipeline of potential projects across the United Kingdom to identify the economic opportunities available and threats to successful deployment.

Since the plan was last updated in March 2022, the number of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects planned for the UK has grown from 55 projects to over 90 – with enough schemes now in the pipeline to capture around 94 million tonnes of CO₂ per year – up 29% from 73 million tonnes last year. To put that in context, that’s equivalent to more than a quarter of total UK emissions. The projects would protect thousands of jobs in existing industries which currently emit lots of CO₂, such as cement and steel and other manufacturing, and create many more in new green economy sectors, whilst making a huge contribution to meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero target.

Earlier this year, the CCSA welcomed the government’s commitment to £20 billion of revenue support for CCS deployment. Four industrial clusters have been selected across England and Scotland in a bid to kick start the industry.

But the CCSA study published today warns government support for CCS projects is behind schedule and there isn’t enough clarity on how the £20 billion will be allocated. As many as one in three projects are considering relocating overseas to countries backing the technology more vigorously.

Cross-party consensus is vital for delivery of major infrastructure, which is why, alongside the Delivery Plan, the CCSA is today also publishing a manifesto setting out pledges that MPs on all sides could adopt to speed up the deployment of carbon capture technology across the country. The CCSA will use an extensive programme of events through the party conference season to campaign on the pledges.

The CCSA today outlines five key asks of Government to unlock private capital investment:

1. Enable timely cluster delivery, including allocation of the £20 billion support
2. Publish a clear deployment plan for CCUS and commit to regular allocation rounds
3. Accelerate permitting and consenting
4. Deliver a healthy supply chain and skilled workforce
5. Build public support

Ruth Herbert, Chief Executive of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, said:
“This year has seen a lot of progress for CCUS technology and we welcome the strides forward taken by the government to date.

“But our Delivery Plan makes clear there is much more to do to secure the tens of billions of direct investment which widespread deployment of CCUS technology could bring to the UK. This is investment which will support tens of thousands of new jobs, and retain existing jobs, across the country.

“The UK has the opportunity to lead the next industrial revolution and be at the forefront of the global deployment of this essential technology, rather than import low carbon products made elsewhere. But there is a global race underway, so we have to speed up, secure these investments and create the clean industries of the future here in the UK.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Read the Delivery Plan Update CCUS Delivery Plan Update 2023 FINAL

Read the Delivery Plan Update Executive Summary CCUS Delivery Plan Update Exec Summary 2023 FINAL

Read the CCSA Manifesto 2023 CCSA Manifesto September 2023

CCUS, or Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, is a key low carbon solution – vital to meeting the UK’s statutory Net Zero target at least cost. CCUS enables the production of clean power, clean products (such as steel and cement) and clean hydrogen – which can then be used to decarbonise heating and transport. In addition, CCUS also enables greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere through Direct Air Capture with Storage (DACS) or Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).

The CCSA is the trade association promoting the commercial deployment of CCUS. We work with members, governments and other organisations to ensure CCUS is developed and deployed at the pace and scale necessary to meet net zero goals and deliver sustainable growth across regions and nations.

The CCSA currently has over 100 member companies who are active in exploring and developing different applications of carbon capture, CO₂ transportation by pipeline and ship, utilisation, geological storage, and other permanent storage solutions, as well as members from management, legal and financial consulting sectors.

For media enquiries please contact public.affairs@ccsassociation.org

To find out more about the Carbon Capture Storage Association (CCSA) please visit the CCSA website at http://www.ccsassociation.org

Carbon Capture and Storage Association appoints its new EU Director and Secretary General to the Zero Emissions Platform 

4 September 2023, London and Brussels

The Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), the European trade body for the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) industry, is delighted to announce the appointment of Joop Hazenberg as its new EU Director. He is succeeding Per-Olof Granström, who established the CCSA’s Brussels office in 2019 and departed last week after a successful four years at its helm.

Joop is an experienced senior executive who specialises in European energy and climate policies. He has previously acted as EU correspondent for a range of international media, campaign manager for European NGOs on the phase-out of coal power plants, and Director External Affairs at the GSMA, representing the mobile telecommunications industry in Europe. He also worked for the European Heat Pump Association and represented SolarPower Europe and WindEurope on the topic of corporate renewable energy sourcing.

As EU Director, Joop will lead the CCSA’s work in Brussels, including overseeing the delivery of the Zero Emissions Platform work programme as its Secretary General. He will drive the CCSA’s EU strategy, expanding our programme of advocacy on European CCUS developments.

Ruth Herbert, Chief Executive of the CCSA said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Joop Hazenberg to the CCSA as our new EU Director. He brings with him a wealth of expertise and knowledge from the energy sector, and will be a strong asset to our expanding work on CCUS in the EU.  I also want to take this opportunity to recognise and thank his predecessor, Per-Olof Granström, for establishing the CCSA within the EU and playing a key role in making the Zero Emissions Platform what it is today.”

Joop Hazenberg, incoming EU Director said:

“I am excited to start in this dual role as CCUS is the key technology to clean up the carbon emissions that we cannot avoid in the foreseeable future – notably in energy intensive industries, heavy transport and the production of hydrogen. Both CCSA and the Zero Emissions Platform are working hard towards massive deployment of large-scale CO₂ storage in the next decade.”

Eve Tamme, Chair of Zero Emissions Platform said:

“I am pleased to welcome Joop Hazenberg as the new ZEP Secretary General. Zero Emission Platform has a long history as the leading CCS and CCU platform in Europe, and Joop is well placed to offer strong leadership to increase ZEP’s impact over the coming years. It’s time to get the first projects up and running, pave the way for the deployment of the next wave of projects, and help design policies that will make wide CCS and CCU deployment in Europe a reality.”

ENDS 

Notes to Editors

CCUS, or Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, is a key low carbon solution – vital to meeting the UK’s statutory Net Zero target at least cost. CCUS enables the production of clean power, clean products (such as steel and cement) and clean hydrogen – which can then be used to decarbonise heating and transport. In addition, CCUS also enables greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere through Direct Air Capture with Storage (DACS) or Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).

The CCSA is the lead European association accelerating the commercial deployment of CCUS. We work with members, governments and other organisations to ensure CCUS is developed and deployed at the pace and scale necessary to meet net zero goals and deliver sustainable growth across regions and nations.

The CCSA currently has over 100 member companies who are active in exploring and developing different applications of carbon capture, CO₂ transportation by pipeline and ship, utilisation, geological storage, and other permanent storage solutions, as well as members from management, legal and financial consulting sectors.

ZEP is the advisor to the EU on the deployment of CCS and CCU – a European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP) under the European Commission’s Strategic Energy Technologies Plan (SET-Plan). ZEP supports the European Union’s commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050, defined as net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

For media enquiries please contact on +44 (0)20 4583 2295 or email info@ccsassociation.org.

To find out more about the Carbon Capture Storage Association (CCSA) please visit the CCSA website at https://www.ccsassociation.org/.

To find out more about the Zero Emissions Platform (ZEP) please visit the ZEP website at https://zeroemissionsplatform.eu/.

There are less than one billion seconds until the net zero deadline – a reminder from Siemens Energy’s vice president for the UK, Steve Scrimshaw, at a thought-provoking CCSA Member Discussion Forum that took place recently. While Steve’s “time is ticking” message was clear, so too was SSE Thermal’s view that we must incorporate social value into the heart of our energy transition.

This gathering of industry leaders was convened at our London offices and the attendees were left in no doubt that we must ensure we deliver a just transition as we move towards net zero.

Led by the CCSA’s UK Director Olivia Powis, the panel consisted of SSE Thermal’s Hannah Bronwin and Helen Sanders; Steve Scrimshaw; Mitsuaki Kato of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; and Francesca Bell from CCUS Kickstarters.

The conversation was wide-ranging, touching on the need for CCS projects to be delivered, the importance of the supply chain and the need to ensure that communities aren’t left behind as we decarbonise the power system. Of particular relevance were the three key priority areas identified – the 3 Ps – which are crucial to delivering a just transition and protecting our domestic supply chains. These are Purpose, People and Place.

Purpose, People and Place

It is imperative that we decarbonise our power system on the way to net zero. Renewables will lead that charge, but we also need flexible generation to provide vital backup and this must be decarbonised in its own right. That is why low-carbon technologies like CCS and hydrogen are so important.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) published a report which demonstrates that we need at least circa 17GW of low-carbon dispatchable power to be brought online by 2035. By decarbonising the power sector, we will not only support the net zero transition but provide new opportunities for those people working within the sector currently, while creating economic benefits for the regions in which assets are located.

Beyond the power sector, CCS can decarbonise industry, delivering clean steel and cement in the UK, leveraging our depleted gas fields to create a global competitive advantage and, in return, greater economic benefit. Having a purpose is nothing without people. CCS will provide essential jobs in our industrial heartlands which would otherwise be at risk as industry relocates. SSE is at the ‘pointy end’ of the transition and we have committed to reducing our carbon intensity by 80% by 2030. As we strive to meet that goal we have closed our coal-fired power stations, opened Europe’s most efficient gas-fired power station and are developing multiple low-carbon projects. The need to transition in a fair and just way is central to everything we do, and we recognise that we need a skilled workforce that can develop, design, construct and operate low-carbon assets. In the last two years, 900 people have joined SSE from high-carbon jobs and that is something we take great pride in.

We firmly believe that our low-carbon plans can create further opportunities – our proposed Peterhead Carbon Capture Power Station, for example, would deliver 1000 jobs during construction and support 240 jobs locally through its operational phase.

SSE has set out plans to invest up to £40bn across the next decade, with a focus on low-carbon infrastructure. Significant amounts of that investment will be focused on our industrial heartlands, which have been home to power generation for decades. We believe it’s essential that these heartlands are not left behind – they have so much to offer as we continue this net zero journey.

The role of CCS in that journey continues to be recognised, with the Government outlining £20bn in funding and now identifying four clusters in which carbon capture technology will be deployed. Now, we must all work together to ensure that workers and communities aren’t left behind while outlining the size of the opportunity to the local supply chain.

SSE Thermal’s Keadby site

10 August 2023 – The Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA) today welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s Biomass Strategy which sets outs positive steps toward delivering the UK’s net zero agenda.

Biomass-generated power is a sustainable, renewable way of making energy by burning wood chips and other plant material. It can be used in power stations to make carbon neutral electricity, as the CO₂ released when it is burnt is equivalent to what was absorbed by the biomass during its lifetime.

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a technology which allows the capturing and permanent storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by burning biomass – removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere whilst also generating electricity and/or heat.

As well as power generation, biomass also has industrial uses. For example, can also be converted into jet fuel known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The Biomass Strategy makes clear Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) technologies are vital because they enable carbon-emitting sectors such as agriculture, cement and steel to continue while achieving net zero. BECCS is a key example of this technology and the strategy sets out “active work” in government to support it via development of the Power BECCS and GGR business models and clear guidance.

A report by the Government’s BECCS Task and Finish Group published alongside the strategy sets out the “substantial opportunity for the UK to develop a leadership position on the delivery of sustainable BECCS & GGRs”. Failure to pursue the technology now risks “innovation and associated export opportunities” for British businesses, increasing the cost of delivering net zero.

It follows an important announcement last week on the UK Government’s support for two further clusters in Humberside and Scotland.

Ruth Herbert, CEO of the CCSA, said: “Today’s publication of a Biomass Strategy for the UK is good news.

“Capturing carbon produced from burning biomass is an important part of the carbon removal toolkit to remove greenhouse gases from our environment, particularly for hard-to-decarbonise sectors like agriculture and aviation. It will help ensure we can protect jobs, maintain important industries and deliver our net zero ambitions.

“BECCS is one part of the suite of carbon capture and storage solutions that has the potential to underpin the next industrial revolution. We urgently need HM Treasury to set out further detail on the scale and timing of support to BECCS and other potential carbon capture sites.

“Failure to act this Autumn would risk undermining investor confidence in the UK while others such as the United States race ahead in the development of this vital technology.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

CCUS, or Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, is a key low carbon solution – vital to meeting the UK’s statutory Net Zero target at least cost. CCUS enables the production of clean power, clean products (such as steel and cement) and clean hydrogen – which can then be used to decarbonise heating and transport. In addition, CCUS also enables greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere through Direct Air Capture with Storage (DACS) or Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).

The CCSA is the lead European association accelerating the commercial deployment of CCUS. We work with members, governments and other organisations to ensure CCUS is developed and deployed at the pace and scale necessary to meet net zero goals and deliver sustainable growth across regions and nations.

The CCSA currently has over 100 member companies who are active in exploring and developing different applications of carbon capture, CO₂ transportation by pipeline and ship, utilisation, geological storage, and other permanent storage solutions, as well as members from management, legal and financial consulting sectors.

For media enquiries please email press@ccsassociation.org

To find out more about the Carbon Capture Storage Association (CCSA) please visit the CCSA website at http://www.ccsassociation.org/ .

31st July 2023, London

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.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

CCUS, or Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, is a key low carbon solution – vital to meeting the UK’s statutory Net Zero target at least cost. CCUS enables the production of clean power, clean products (such as steel and cement) and clean hydrogen – which can then be used to decarbonise heating and transport. In addition, CCUS also enables greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere through Direct Air Capture with Storage (DACS) or Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).

The CCSA is the lead European association accelerating the commercial deployment of CCUS. We work with members, governments and other organisations to ensure CCUS is developed and deployed at the pace and scale necessary to meet net zero goals and deliver sustainable growth across regions and nations.

The CCSA currently has over 100 member companies who are active in exploring and developing different applications of carbon capture, CO₂ transportation by pipeline and ship, utilisation, geological storage, and other permanent storage solutions, as well as members from management, legal and financial consulting sectors.

For media enquiries please contact +44 (0)20 3031 8750 or email info@ccsassociation.org

To find out more about the Carbon Capture Storage Association (CCSA) please visit the CCSA website at http://www.ccsassociation.org/.

This is the CCSA’s latest position on carbon storage obligations. Building on our previous outputs in this area and following discussion with CCSA members, we have today:

• Co-signed a letter with other European organisations to support the EU’s carbon storage target; and
• Committed to further analyse the role such obligations could play alongside other drivers for the commercial deployment of CCUS.

Download the paper here.

CCSA paper – Storage obligations

New Carbon Capture Supply Chain Strategy calls for coordinated action from UK Government and industry to create a new homegrown industry and support tens of thousands of jobs

The Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), the trade body for the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) industry in Europe, is today launching a CCUS Supply Chain Strategy which sets out a number of actions to deliver a successful CCUS industry that has the potential to safeguard 77,000 existing jobs in heavy industries such as steel and cement, while creating 70,000 new jobs in the green economy.

The CCSA has launched the strategy jointly with the CCUS Council Supply Chain Working Group, chaired by Make UK Chairman Lord Hutton. The working group advises ministers on deploying and scaling up carbon capture technology.

In order to achieve a target of 50% UK content in the manufacturing, goods and services underpinning new carbon capture and storage technology the Supply Chain Strategy sets out three key actions for Government and industry during the early phase of subsidised deployment:

1. A clear timetable for when and where government support will be allocated to capture projects to drive confidence and raise the profile of the sector,
2. Flexibility in bilateral negotiations on cost and delivery dates where there is an opportunity to secure higher UK content; and

• Targeted financial support for building capacity and transitioning existing supply chain businesses to serve the CCUS programme

Today’s strategy includes a Good Practice Guidance document for industry which, provided the above actions are met, sets out a pathway for delivering the UK content ambition. This guidance is aimed at supporting developers and contractors to build local supply chains by improving planning and engagement at an early stage and throughout the procurement process.

The guidance document covers six key areas of focus:

• • Target an increasing volume of local manufacturers and businesses to build and operate CCUS clusters.
  • Promote the introduction of homegrown technology.
  • Enhance the quantity and quality of local jobs created or protected.
  • Drive investment in skills and training to support CCUS.
  • Encourage transparency in the supply chain process.
  • Create wider economic benefits to the UK from investing in CCUS.

The CCSA is also today submitting a paper on CCUS skills into the Green Jobs Delivery Group, which was convened by the Government to support the creation of almost half a million green jobs by 2030. The “CCSA Workforce & Skills Position Paper” sets out the strong linkages between developing the CCUS supply chain and skills and highlights the need for urgent action to coordinate the skills requirements across the entire low carbon economy.

Ruth Herbert, Chief Executive at the CCSA, said:

“The report published today at our President’s Reception emphasises the massive opportunity that CCUS represents for the UK. Our strategy concludes that developing a UK CCUS supply chain, together with skills and training programmes, is urgently needed to decarbonise our heavy industries and protect jobs in regions such as Yorkshire & Humber, Wales, the North-West of England and the North-East of Scotland.

“The prize is significant – the opportunity for the UK to access a multi-billion-pound global supply chain market for CCUS equipment, goods and services, as well as the creation of over 70,000 new UK jobs whilst safeguarding up to 77,000 jobs in carbon-intensive industries at risk of being relocated abroad.

“This strategy requires Government to target investment on manufacturing yards which have the potential to supply high value items to the CCUS industry and will be delivering multiple large strategic infrastructure developments over the next decade. From the industry’s side, by following the guidance we aim to improve the transparency of the procurement process and ensure that local supply chain engagement is prioritised from early on in the development cycle.”

Lord Callanan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance), said:

“A successful UK supply chain is key to sustaining existing, and creating new, high-skill, high-value green jobs and supporting growth in industrial clusters.

“To achieve this, industry and government must work together and today’s new report from the Carbon Capture and Storage Association is a crucial step forward to harnessing the full potential of Britain’s CCUS industry.”

Lord Hutton, Chair of Make UK and Chair of the CCUS Council Supply Chain Working Group, said:

“It’s encouraging to see the CCUS industry take the lead in developing supply chain guidance and if projects follow this guidance, together with Government providing strong support, then a reliable, high quality and secure domestic supply chain can be achieved.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

On the 12^th July, the CCSA published two documents which can be found below.

The Supply Chain Strategy and Good Practice Guidance Document is a joint study between the CCSA Supply Chain Working Group and the CCUS Council Supply Chain Working Group. The following organisations contributed to this study:

• Aker Solutions
• Baker Hughes
• BP
• EIC
• NSTA
• OEUK
• Phillips 66
• Progressive Energy
• SSE
• Worley

CCUS, or Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, is a key low carbon solution – vital to meeting the UK’s statutory Net Zero target at least cost. CCUS enables the production of clean power, clean products (such as steel and cement) and clean hydrogen – which can then be used to decarbonise heating and transport. In addition, CCUS also enables greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere through Direct Air Capture with Storage (DACS) or Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).

The CCSA is the lead European association accelerating the commercial deployment of CCUS. We work with members, governments and other organisations to ensure CCUS is developed and deployed at the pace and scale necessary to meet net zero goals and deliver sustainable growth across regions and nations.

The CCSA currently has over 100 member companies who are active in developing and deploying different applications of carbon capture, CO₂ transportation, utilisation, geological storage, and other permanent storage solutions, including end-users from the power and industrial and hydrogen production sectors and members from management, legal and financial consulting sectors.

For media enquiries please contact Judith Shapiro on +44 (0)20 4583 2295 or email judith.shapiro@ccsassociation.org

To find out more about the Carbon Capture Storage Association (CCSA) please visit the CCSA website at http://www.ccsassociation.org/.

CCSA CCUS Supply Chain Good Practice Guidance

CCSA Supply Chain Good Practice Guidance – Summary

UK CCS Supply Chain Value Study

The CCSA has today published a new “Workforce & Skills Position Paper”.

This position paper has been produced by the CCSA Skills & Training Task Subgroup, operating under the CCSA Supply Chain Working Group. Its purpose is to present the CCSA’s stance on and understanding of the skills and workforce challenges that are currently facing the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) sector. It offers a high-level overview of the existing skills and training landscape for the CCUS and low carbon hydrogen workforce, encompassing jobs across the entire value chain from capture to transport & storage during the construction and operational phases. This includes an examination of the skills and training obstacles faced by the current workforce, as well as those who are currently in the education system and will constitute the future workforce.

The UK CCUS and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) enabled low-carbon hydrogen sector is encountering a scarcity of skilled personnel, particularly in design and engineering construction. This shortage has the potential to significantly impede the timely completion of CCUS projects and have adverse effects on the UK’s Net Zero objectives. The competition for skilled labour not only exists within the CCUS sector but also extends to other large-scale infrastructure projects who require the same skilled workforce to deploy across the UK within similar timeframes. The need to replace or re-train an ageing and non-diverse workforce, along with the challenge of attracting a significant number of school and college graduates to an industry that may not be perceived as glamorous, further intensifies the urgency of attracting and training new workers. The position paper outlines a series of crucial recommendations that are key to ensuring the availability of resources to facilitate the transition to Net Zero through the implementation of CCUS.

CCSA Workforce & Skills Position Paper

CCSA Workforce & Skills Position Paper – SUMMARY

For the first time the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA) held a Member’s Discussion Forum to consider the next steps for UK CCUS. Slaughter and May were delighted to host the event and to welcome senior industry representatives to our offices in London on 15 June.

The panel, chaired by Ruth Herbert (CCSA Chief Executive), considered the UK Government’s latest CCUS announcements and what’s next for Track-2, Track-1 expansion and beyond. I joined Chris Manson-Whitton (CEO of Progressive Energy Ltd), Guy Appleton (CFO and MD of New Energies at Kellas Midstream), Nicola Cocks (Head of Regulation and Policy at Storegga) on the panel.

We agreed that the UK’s geography presents a unique opportunity to successfully cover the UK’s CO₂ storage needs and to develop a market for CO₂ imports from the EU. The business models that are currently being developed by the Government with input from CCSA members are helping to build the right base to do so. However, these need to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate the CO₂ markets of the future. A key focus of the discussion was, therefore, to assess what will be required both in the short-term and in the longer-term, to turn this opportunity into success.

My key take-aways:

Chris emphasised that the UK’s well-suited geology, the clusters of coastal emitters and the good overall strategy that is being deployed all present an excellent opportunity to develop a very strong and internationally competitive CCUS sector. Based on current projections, the UK has greater storage potential than is needed to meet the UK’s domestic emissions reductions targets. This opens the opportunity for the UK to offer storage to emitters from beyond its shores. Nicola’s vision captured this market potential, envisaging in the not all too distant future a ship leaving port in Germany and deciding, on a cost basis, to head to the UK rather than say Norway or the US, to deliver its CO₂ cargo for storage.

The key to unlocking this potential is the rapid development of the UK’s CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure that will form the cornerstone of the sector’s development. This needs to be operational as quickly as possible.

The announcements of the £20bn Government funding envelope, the Track-1 capture project negotiations, the Track-2 expressions of interest and the promise of an expansion to Track-1 capture projects have all been encouraging. But Ruth highlighted that industry is still awaiting the Government announcement of time-lines for Track-2 and Track-1 expansion. The panel observed that the lack of certainty as to when a project may be able to apply for support could, in the worst case, lead to projects that could have been viable being abandoned. To ensure that momentum is kept high, panel members called for a clear timeline setting out the stages for the expansion to Track-1 and the development of Track-2.

The current selection process, with lumpy allocation rounds and a lack of visibility on timelines for future rounds, runs the risk of congesting supply chains as projects seek to commission at the same time and making it difficult for projects to arrange longer term financing. The panel acknowledged and agreed with the need to focus on value for money. However, Guy emphasised that using the current approach for future rounds is likely to increase costs for projects and therefore ultimately drive down the value for money that can be offered.

We also discussed the importance of providing industry with visibility on the expansion of both the ranges of emitters eligible to apply and the types of storage covered by the business models, as well as on the role of shipping-based CO₂ transport. It is time to make tangible progress on the business models Greenhouse Gas Removals and Power BECCS, and to provide clarity on how non-pipeline CO₂ transportation can integrate into the transport and storage regulatory investment model.

The need to keep up momentum is important not only for achieving net zero targets but also for building strong supply chains and keeping expertise in the UK. Attention to detail in the business models and the more extensive protection against cross-chain risks, for example, were highlighted as key differentiators in the UK’s approach vis-à-vis the US’s tax credit-based approach under the Inflation Reduction Act. However, the US’s model, while potentially riskier for project developers, offers far greater investor certainty through its simplicity, which is in turn allowing for quicker development of projects and the establishment of supply chains and job creation.

Overall, the sentiment across the discussion was that the UK business models are approaching the right balance – and that DESNZ should be commended for the work done to-date in developing those models – , but, in the face of growing international competition, the UK must make sure that it takes full advantage of its strong starting position and avoids further delays which may result in both losing viable projects and the UK being left behind in the process of developing CCUS expertise and supply chains.