Morecambe Bay carbon capture store plans progress

A collaboration which could result in the creation of a terminal to transport CO2 to Spirit Energy’s Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) Peak Cluster project has been signed.

Essar Energy Transition (EET) which manages Stanlow Terminals Limited (STL), has entered into a collaboration agreement with Spirit Energy and Progressive Energy Limited (PEL) to explore the feasibility of a new, integrated carbon capture, storage and shipping facility. 

The agreement intends to assess the joint business case and development planning feasibility of a CO₂ shipping import terminal, based at STL’s Tranmere Terminal, within the Port of Liverpool, and at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex.

The partnership will also assess the opportunity to transport CO₂ volumes received via the new STL shipping import terminal(s) to Spirit Energy’s Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) carbon store in the East Irish Sea.

Last summer Spirit Energy completed the latest in a series of activities to boost gas production from its Morecambe hub, investing around £20 million to maximise economic recovery from the fields in the East Irish Sea.

Working with its Peak Cluster partners comprising four of the country’s leading cement and lime producers, Spirit Energy’s MNZ store will be home to 40% of the CO₂ emissions associated with UK cement production.

The collaboration annoinced today marks the latest step in the ambitious project to transform Stanlow into a decarbonised energy hub which EET says could support ‘long-term, sustainable jobs and industrial innovation across the region.’

“We’re delighted to be working alongside Spirit Energy and Progressive Energy on this important collaboration,” Mike Gaynon, CEO of Stanlow Terminals Limited, said.

“It brings together the right partners with the right expertise to open up new opportunities for CO₂ movement and storage and drives forward Stanlow’s broader decarbonisation ambitions.  This work has the potential to strengthen the region’s industrial future, and we’re excited to work with our partners on this project.”

Spirit could begin storing around four million tonnes of CO₂ in the Morecambe Bay fields every year from 2030 which equates to about 25 per cent of the Government’s 2050 net zero emissions storage target.

“Carbon capture and storage is not the only answer to net zero 2050 but it is a key enabler to decarbonise industry in the UK.” Matt Browell-Hook, energy transition, decommissioning and projects director of Spirit Energy, said.

“We are progressing with MNZ – one of the largest offshore carbon stores in the world – and through this new collaboration with Essar Energy Transition and Progressive Energy, we’re investigating the potential to provide a route to decarbonisation for emitters from around the UK via the Stanlow site.

“Partnerships such as these are crucial to deliver the goals of industrial decarbonisation, protecting existing jobs and boost economic growth in the UK.”