VPI has become the first company in the UK to win full regulatory approval for amine-based carbon capture technology, marking a turning point in the country’s efforts to reduce emissions in one of its most prominent industrial regions.
The Environment Agency has approved Shell’s patented Cansolv system for installation at VPI’s Immingham Combined Heat and Power Plant, strategically positioned in the Humber’s vast energy and refining complex.
“As the government aims to develop the UK’s carbon capture and storage industry, projected to contribute around £30 billion ($40.3 billion) to GDP by 2050, selecting the right projects in the right locations is crucial, especially during times of fiscal restraint,” said Jonathan Briggs, Director of Development and Delivery at VPI. “The permit and planning permission reflect VPI’s dedication to ensuring our project meets one of the key criteria for making CCS a success – delivering the project swiftly and establishing the Humber as a central hub for this emerging industry. We have completed all the necessary preparations at this stage.”
North Lincolnshire Council has also granted planning consent for the retrofit, paving the way to capture up to 3.3 million tonnes of CO2 annually. The captured carbon will feed into the Viking CCS network, designed to transport and store emissions from nearby industries and Britain’s largest port.
Supported by the UK Treasury and cited by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during her Spending Review, the Humber initiative could draw £13 billion ($17.5 billion) in private investment and create 20,000 jobs.
Across the UK, momentum for CCS is accelerating, with multiple hubs spanning from Teesside to Aberdeenshire, vying for government support as London seeks to cut industrial emissions by 70% by 2035. VPI’s permit places the Humber at the forefront of this national race and is another step forward for carbon capture in the UK.
Read more: Viking CCS Project Set To Transform The Humber Carbon Capture Hub
