What is carbon capture and storage (CCS)?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that contributes to harmful climate change. Many industrial processes burn natural gas as their energy source, producing a large amount of CO2, which is currently released into the atmosphere.

CCS is a proven and safe technology which captures up to 95% of CO2 emissions produced in industrial processes. Once captured, CO2 can be safely transported through a pipeline from industrial plants to empty offshore oil and gas reservoirs under the seabed, where it will be permanently and safely stored and so prevented from being released into the atmosphere.

How we will determine the route of the pipeline

A new section of carbon dioxide pipeline will be constructed to run from Stanlow to a location near Connah’s Quay, where it will connect to an existing underground and undersea pipeline which will safely transport the CO2 to the empty offshore gas and oil reservoirs under the seabed in Liverpool Bay.

To determine the preferred route for which we will seek consent, we are undertaking a three-stage approach to identifying and appraising potential route options for the carbon dioxide pipeline.

Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Stages

Consulting on our proposals

We recognise the importance of local people, communities and organisations contributing to the development of our proposals. This is why we have committed to undertaking two rounds of public consultation, with the aim of identifying a route that seeks to balance interests and concerns.  Both rounds of public consultations will take place before we seek consent to construct and operate the pipeline.

Our first consultation, expected to be in early spring 2021, will present our route corridor options to help us determine which should be taken forward as the preferred corridor.

Our second consultation, expected to be in autumn 2021, will seek views on our preferred route. Feedback from this second consultation will help us to refine our route design and complete the Environmental Impact Assessment, which assesses the likely significant effects and how we intend to mitigate them.

We then expect to submit an application for a Development Consent Order to the Secretary of State in early 2022.

For more information on the process for selecting the pipeline route click here.

What you will see above ground

Once installed, the carbon dioxide pipeline will be buried underground. There will be some above ground installations for pipe connections and safety systems, but these will be no more intrusive than those associated with the natural gas network today. These parts of the pipeline will need to be accessible for maintenance staff.

HyNet North West Project Partners

HyNet North West is being delivered by a consortium of partners, each of which will lead a different part of the project.
Progressive Energy is leading the development of the low carbon hydrogen production plant and the CO2 pipeline and Cadent is leading development of the hydrogen pipeline.