Carbon Capture and Storage Network

Description

Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales recognises that decarbonisation offers significant opportunities to create a vibrant and socially just economy. The Plan sets out the Welsh Government’s approach to setting the foundations for Wales to transition to a low carbon economy in a way that maximises the wider benefits for Wales. Greenhouse gas emissions in Wales are driven by a range of factors including a high share of UK industry and manufacturing and a high proportion of the UK’s fossil fuel power generation capacity. In the transition to a low carbon future, ensuring a sustainable, competitive industry and business environment is paramount. There is a need to steer the growth of a resilient economy where we can continue to exploit our capabilities in new low-carbon technologies and markets, underpinned by a competitive industrial base. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is consistent in stressing the importance of Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS) as an enabler to achieving deep emissions reductions. It considers all currently credible pathways through which the UK could reach net-zero emissions domestically involve a significant role for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), especially for industry and greenhouse gas recovery . The CCC also assesses that delivery of CCS requires action on several themes including infrastructure development and that the UK Government initial projects should lead to multiple CCS clusters being operational by the mid-2020s. It further considers that CCS is important to developing a lower carbon hydrogen economy for industry, buildings and transport. Welsh Government aims to understand further the potential for CCUS in Wales, how the technology might provide a viable method of decarbonising industrial processes in Wales, and the associated challenges of developing a network. Successful suppliers will support and address key points including but not exclusively: • An overview of the current development of carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) technologies in other regions of the UK and elsewhere. • Evaluation of the potential for a CCUS network in Wales and the mechanisms required to transport CO2 from the principle CO2 emitting installations by pipeline, shipping or other means. • Assessing the infrastructure required to achieve a CCUS network in Wales, including the potential utilisation of existing assets. • Appraising available reports to consider the most appropriate and economic sequestration site locations in the UK and elsewhere to transport and store CO2 from the principle industrial hubs in Wales. • Appraisal of how the CO2 transport and storage business models currently being considered by the UK Government might best operate for Wales. • Estimating costs of transporting CO2 from key industrial installations and regions in Wales to suitable geological storage sites, and timescales. • Calculating the potential level of funding required to facilitate development of a CCS network in Wales the potential funding sources and how they might best be accessed. • Consideration of how a CCS network could contribute to Wales’ deep decarbonisation objectives as set out in ALCW, support a sustainable industrial landscape and promote innovation. • Identify the opportunities and challenges of developing a CCS network in Wales including the economic social and technological risks. • Consider whether these assessments would require modification in the event of operational changes at the principal Welsh industrial carbon emitting operations, including through technological innovation. • Compile and review evidence to provide options for developing a CCS network in Wales The overall project objectives include but are not limited to: • Helping to ensure Wales is well positioned to capture opportunities from the development of CCUS including in the development of hydrogen production and heat networks. • Advance government and industry understanding of the steps required to be read