£2bn carbon capture and storage project confirmed

British businesses will be more energy secure as a major carbon capture and storage network is now ready for construction – supporting 2,000 jobs through the Plan for Change. Launching this new industry for Britain provides a major boost for heavy industry – part of the government’s commitment to backing British manufacturing.

Energy company Eni has finalised a major deal with government which will see them award around £2 billion in supply chain contracts for their Liverpool Bay Carbon Capture and Storage Project, spanning North Wales and the North West of England. 

The deal delivers on a commitment made by the Prime Minister and Energy Secretary in October, to develop a world leading carbon capture industry – backed by £21.7 billion – reigniting industrial heartlands across the country and kickstarting growth in manufacturing communities. 

This announcement comes as the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) awards three carbon storage permits to Eni for its Liverpool Bay CCS project.

It will create a network of clean infrastructure, decarbonising industries like energy from waste, hydrogen and cement production – whilst backing highly skilled jobs in construction and enabling future generation of low carbon power.  

Alongside this, the government has set out further planning reforms to provide certainty and clarity for developers on the importance of clean power projects, such as solar, onshore and offshore wind and nuclear, when making decisions on energy infrastructure of critical national priority. 

Previously where policy, legislation and guidance left room for doubt, planners and decision-takers have adopted a cautious approach to consenting clean energy infrastructure, leading to lengthy paperwork and red tape blocking decisions, hindering Britain’s energy security. 

Changes will streamline the planning system and get Britain building by giving developers clarity on what is needed for their clean power project to succeed. By putting clean power by 2030 at the heart of planning policy, the government is backing industry, removing delays and getting clean energy projects built quicker.