Green light for Padeswood cement works carbon capture project study

A project to create the world’s first low carbon industrial cluster will see a carbon capture and storage feasibility study carried Padeswood cement works near Mold

Funding totalling £72 million has been awarded to HyNet North West to create a low-carbon industrial cluster through its development of a hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.

Hanson Cement, the operator of the Padeswood site is a consortium partner of the HyNet North West project, the announcement gives the company the green light to carry out a CCS feasibility study .

The study will provide a “clear design basis and cost estimate” for a carbon capture plant and connection to the planned HyNet North West CO₂ transport and storage system.

The UK Government has said the decarbonising of industrial clusters are an essential part of “the journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as described in its 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.”

HyNet North West is based on the production of hydrogen from natural gas. It includes the development of a new hydrogen pipeline; and the creation of the UK’s first carbon capture, and storage (CCS) infrastructure. CCS is a vital technology to achieve the widespread emissions savings needed to meet the 2050 carbon reduction targets.

The HyNet North West project will reduce regional CO₂ emissions by up to 10 million tonnes – including up to 800,000 tonnes from the Padeswood plant – every year by 2030; the equivalent of taking four million cars off the road.

“Today’s funding announcement is fantastic news for everyone involved in HyNet North West,” said CEO Simon Willis.

“Cutting CO₂ emissions is a key priority for us, and we are excited to be one of the first UK cement producers working on carbon capture and storage (CCS) as part of this collaborative project.

“We’ve taken big steps towards reducing carbon emissions and have set ourselves an ambitious target of achieving a 50 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030, based on 1990 levels, and net zero carbon concrete by 2050. CCS at cement plants is a key part of our roadmap to net zero.”

The £72m funding announced today comprises £33m from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge (IDC) fund, and £39m of consortium partner contribution. It will allow HyNet North West to accelerate to a final investment decision for the initial phase in 2023 and become operational in 2025.

The HyNet North West project, led by Progressive Energy, is being developed by a consortium of regionally located partners including Cadent, CF Fertilisers, Eni UK, Essar, INOVYN (part of the INEOS Group) and the University of Chester as well as Hanson.