In line with our commitment to a net zero future, we have a core focus on decarbonising our energy generation and storage assets.
We are actively exploring opportunities in emerging carbon capture and hydrogen technologies to ensure we can continue to provide flexible and reliable energy in a net zero world. Our projects at Keadby and Peterhead could become the UK's first decarbonised gas-fired power stations before 2030.
These technologies also have the potential to decarbonise major industrial activity, as well as the heat and transport sectors, through projects like Zero Carbon Humber in the north of England and the Acorn Project in the north-east of Scotland.
We are actively exploring opportunities in emerging carbon capture and hydrogen technologies to ensure we can continue to provide flexible and reliable energy in a net zero world. Our carbon capture projects at Keadby and Peterhead could be among the UK's first power CCS projects before 2030 – while we are also developing pioneering hydrogen projects across the full value chain.
What is carbon capture and storage?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that can capture at least 90% of the carbon dioxide emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing the carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
The CCS chain consists of three parts; capturing the carbon dioxide, transporting the carbon dioxide, and securely storing the carbon dioxide emissions underground, in depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifer formations.
What is hydrogen-fired generation?
Hydrogen can replace natural gas as the fuel for flexible thermal power stations. As an energy vector that does not contain carbon, there are no carbon dioxide emissions at point of use. Instead, when burnt with oxygen, the by-product is water. Both ‘blue’ and ‘green’ hydrogen can be used to generate low-carbon electricity.
Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas with the resultant carbon emissions captured and stored at this point.
Green hydrogen is created through the electrolysis of water. This process uses renewable electricity and is therefore carbon-free.