30th March 2023
The development of a carbon capture plant at Protos Energy Recovery Facility, in Cheshire, moved a step closer today as the project was selected for the next stage of the Government’s carbon capture cluster sequencing programme.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) identified Protos ERF as a preferred option for potential funding as part of the HyNet industrial decarbonisation cluster in the North-West of England.
The announcement has been welcomed by Encyclis, the energy recovery provider spearheading the construction of Protos ERF and the proposed carbon capture plant that will adjoin the facility.
Encyclis will continue to work closely with DESNZ to bring the project to fruition and contribute towards the decarbonisation that’s necessary for the UK to achieve its net-zero goals.
Encyclis CEO Owen Michaelson said: “We are delighted to be moving into the next stage of the Government’s carbon capture funding programme and are ready to work towards full-scale commercial deployment, in line with our construction timeline for Protos ERF, which will be completed in 2024.
“As part of the HyNet project, we have already planned for the deployment of carbon capture at the facility in order to help prove the concept at scale. Today’s announcement is not only very encouraging for us but positive news for the whole sector, as it drives forward public-private investment which will stimulate sustainable economic growth and job creation in the region.”
The carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant proposed for Protos ERF will capture upwards of 380,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, utilising the planned HyNet pipeline that will transport CO2 for storage in depleted gas fields in Liverpool Bay.
The ERF, currently under construction near Ellesmere Port, is being jointly developed by Encyclis and Biffa, and will process up to 400,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste. This will help the UK achieve landfill diversion targets and strengthen self-sufficiency in waste management. The waste treatment process will additionally generate up to 49mW of electricity – enough to power 90,000 homes.
The inclusion of energy recovery in the carbon capture programme underlines the valuable role it can play in decarbonisation, while also providing an essential public hygiene service and supporting the circular economy by recovering resources and power from residual waste.
Earlier this month, the Government announced that it would allocate up to £20bn to carbon capture projects in the UK to help the country progress towards its net-zero goals.
The Encyclis facility is part of the Protos hub, which brings together innovative technologies, connecting energy-intensive businesses with sources of low-carbon energy. The hub has the potential to support over 3,000 jobs, with over £700m invested in the local area.
About Encyclis
Encyclis provides energy recovery services which turn residual waste into low-carbon electricity, heat and other reusable materials. Formerly known as Covanta Europe, our state-of-the-art energy recovery facilities support the transition to a circular economy by making productive use of residual waste that would otherwise go to landfill. With over 200 employees, our portfolio includes three facilities in the UK and Ireland, which operate 24/7 to collectively divert 1.5 million tonnes of waste from landfill every year and generate enough electricity to power nearly 300,000 homes. Further facilities are currently under construction. With expertise stretching back over three decades, extensive partnerships and continuous innovation, Encyclis provides a progressive solution for waste management. Visit www.encyclis.com for further information.