The UK on Tuesday announced its first-ever carbon storage permit, paving the way toward combating climate change and leading energy transition in the country.
The North Sea Transition Authority approved the permit for the site, located off the coast of Teesside in northeast England.
According to a statement, the site will be capable of storing up to 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years, equivalent to taking 58.8 million cars off the road for a year.
Northern Endurance Partnership — a collaboration between BP, Equinor, and TotalEnergies — will lead the project, and the first carbon injection is expected to commence in 2027. It will have an annual storage capacity of 4 million tonnes.
Boosting Clean Energy and Economic Growth
The announcement coincides with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s award of an economic license to Net Zero North Sea Storage. The license unlocks £4 billion in contracts, supporting the development of innovative technologies and creating 2,000 jobs in the region.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband hailed the project as a significant milestone in the government’s mission to make the UK a global clean energy superpower.
“This investment launches a new era for clean energy in Britain—boosting energy security, backing industries, and supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs in Teesside and the North East,” Miliband said.
The government recently announced £21.7 billion ($27.68 billion) in funding for carbon capture and storage projects, binding its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and revitalizing the nation’s industrial base.
A Model for Carbon Storage
Endurance, located 75 kilometers east of Flamborough Head, is poised to serve Teesside-based carbon capture initiatives, including NZT Power, H2Teesside, and Teesside Hydrogen CO2 Capture.
It is part of the East Coast Cluster, one of two sites identified as key players in the UK’s CCS strategy, alongside HyNet in the East Irish Sea.
NSTA Chief Executive Stuart Payne highlighted the historic nature of the achievement: “For a long time, we have talked about the possibility of carbon storage. Now, we are making it happen. The energy industry already has the infrastructure, a world-class supply chain, and highly skilled people who can drive the change we need.”
The NSTA issued the permit after NEP demonstrated its adherence to the site’s stringent safety and environmental standards, which included guarantees against leakage and any harm to human health and the environment.
The Future of UK Carbon Storage
The UK’s Continental Shelf holds vast potential for carbon storage, with an estimated capacity of 78 gigatonnes in natural aquifers and depleted reservoirs. The Endurance permit is the first of many expected in the coming years, with 26 additional licenses already in various stages of development.
The NTSA has already set up a dedicated carbon transportation and storage team to streamline the permitting process and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.
These efforts include making data more accessible and simplifying applications for essential permits.
“This is the start of something much larger,” Payne noted. “As we build out our carbon storage infrastructure, we are not only addressing climate change but also securing the UK’s position as a leader in clean energy innovation.”
The Endurance project promises to serve as a model for large-scale carbon storage, ushering the UK is taking decisive steps to meet its net zero goals and strengthen its clean energy future.
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