UK Backs New Carbon Capture Initiatives to Achieve Net Zero Goals
The UK government has reiterated its commitment to supporting carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects as part of its efforts to reach its net zero targets. It has announced that two additional projects, Acorn and Viking, have been granted government backing to begin negotiations.
Carbon capture and storage involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions generated from industrial processes or power generation and storing them underground. The Acorn and Viking projects aim to capture emissions from heavy-emitting sectors like oil and gas refining and steel manufacturing and store them in depleted oil and gas fields off the coast of Britain.
The process of CCS involves the separation of CO2 from other gases produced during industrial processes or power generation. Once the carbon dioxide is captured, it needs to be compressed and transported to storage sites, usually using pipelines. After that, it is injected into underground rock formations, typically at a depth of 1 km or more, where it will be stored for decades.
While CCS technology has been in operation since the 1970s and has captured and stored over 200 million tonnes of CO2 worldwide, some projects have failed to deliver the expected carbon savings. For example, Chevron’s Gorgon project in Australia, the world’s largest commercial CCS project, has faced challenges in meeting its capacity targets.
Despite these setbacks, a U.N. panel of scientists highlighted the potential of CCS in helping the world achieve global climate targets set under the Paris Agreement on climate change. However, they emphasized the need for a continued focus on preventing emissions from being released in the first place.
Countries like the UK see CCS as a crucial tool in reaching their net zero goals. Britain aims to capture and store 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030, equivalent to the emissions from 10-15 million cars.
While CCS has its proponents, some environmental groups have raised concerns about its effectiveness in curbing emissions. They argue that the technology enables fossil fuel companies to continue operating and can facilitate the recovery of more oil and gas from obsolete fields.
Currently, there are over 190 CCS projects in various stages of development worldwide, according to the Global CCS Institute. These include facilities that not only store CO2 but also re-use it in industrial processes such as plastics, concrete, or biofuel manufacturing.
However, CCS technology can be expensive, with upfront expenditure accounting for two-thirds of the lifetime costs. The total cost per tonne of CO2 captured can range from $20 to $150, depending on the technology type and source of emissions.
Developers have attributed the slow progress of CCS projects globally to a lack of funding and the absence of a clear economic case for their construction. Nevertheless, consultancy Wood Mackenzie predicts that costs could decrease by 20%-25% over the next two decades.
Direct air capture (DAC) with CCS technology, which involves removing CO2 that has already been released into the atmosphere, can be even more costly, with costs in the high triple digits per tonne.
In conclusion, the UK government’s ongoing support for carbon capture and storage projects reflects its commitment to achieving its net zero targets. The Acorn and Viking projects, along with other CCS initiatives, offer potential solutions for capturing and storing carbon emissions from heavy-emitting sectors. However, the effectiveness and long-term viability of CCS technology remain subjects of debate, with some environmental groups questioning its ability to reduce emissions substantially. Nonetheless, CCS continues to be seen as a valuable tool in the global fight against climate change, with the hope that it can contribute to achieving the ambitious goals set under the Paris Agreement.
