Net Zero Teesside, the UK’s ground-breaking carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) project, has signed a new partnership to develop offshore CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure under the North Sea to help accelerate the scheme’s development.

Net Zero Teesside aims to develop the UK’s first decarbonised industrial cluster and will be established at Teesworks, the UK’s largest industrial zone. The project is being delivered by a consortium of the world’s largest oil companies, led by BP the project will be operational by 2030.

The partnership between Net Zero Teesside and Zero Carbon Humber (ZCH), will help accelerate the development of offshore carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure in the North Sea. The scheme is estimated to bring £450million in annual gross benefit to the Teesside region and could support up to 5,500 direct jobs during construction alone.

The process removes CO₂ from heavy industry and powerplants and transports it by pipeline to storage sites located several miles under the North Sea. The scheme plans to capture up to 10million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, equivalent to the emissions associated with the annual energy use of up to three million UK homes, meaning it will play a huge role in the UK’s ambition to be net zero by 2050.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said “Here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool we are developing an enviable reputation as a centre of excellence for the development of clean energy and central to this is Net Zero Teesside which is at the heart of my plan for jobs that will deliver the clean energy jobs of the future right here in Teesside.

“This project could have gone anywhere in the world, but it came here because we have the skill, ingenuity and resources to make this ground-breaking project a reality, putting the Teesworks site at the heart of a world-class class centre for new clean technologies.”

The partnership will help facilitate a joint NZT and ZCH bid submission for funding through Phase 2 of the Government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge aiming to accelerate the development of an offshore pipeline network to transport captured CO₂ emissions from both NZT and ZCH to offshore geological storage beneath the UK North Sea. The £170million challenge is part of the £4.7billion Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund set up by the government to address the biggest industrial and societal challenges using Research and Development based in the UK.

Andy Lane, Net Zero Teesside Managing Director added; “The formation of the Northern Endurance Partnership is another significant milestone towards developing the offshore infrastructure that will be needed to safely transport and store CO₂ from CCUS projects along England’s east coast. The partnership and our joint bid demonstrate industry’s willingness to come together and collaborate wherever possible to accelerate making CCUS a reality in the UK, helping to decarbonise the local economy and contributing to the UK’s climate goals.”

Cllr Mary Lanigan, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “I can’t stress enough the importance of this project for our area. It is set to bring thousands of jobs to our first-rate workforce and prosperity to families across Teesside. The national significance of this project should not be overlooked. This is ground-breaking technology which will play a key role in decarbonising the area and be of national prominence in supporting the international climate change agenda.”