UK Commits £21.5 Million to CCUS Innovation

The UK is to lead an international challenge with Saudi Arabia and Mexico to remove carbon from emissions.

It is one of 7 Mission Innovation challenges announced in 2015 at COP21 with the UK setting out £21.5 million of funding for innovative new Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies.

The aim of the funding is to invest in innovation that could reduce the cost of the technology by supporting its development so that CCUS can become commercially viable at scale.

While there are currently 22 plants in operation or construction, the UK has the opportunity to become a world leader in this field.

There is a global consensus that carbon capture will be critical in meeting the aims of the Paris Agreement and supporting clean growth. This technology can capture carbon dioxide emissions from industry or power generation as well as support low carbon hydrogen production.

Energy and Clean Growth Minister, Claire Perry said, "My ambition is for the UK to become a global technology leader in carbon capture, working with international partners to reduce its costs. As the UK has led the debate globally on tackling climate change and pioneering clean growth, we are leading this global challenge with an initial £21.5 million investment in CCUS innovation - a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy."

The Clean Growth Strategy sets out the new Government approach to CCUS in the UK, highlighting the important role of innovation in supporting cost reduction. Government has committed to spend up to £162 million to improve CCUS and industrial energy efficiency.

As well as the potential to help us reduce our emissions in industries through the manufacture of concrete, chemicals, steel, there are also opportunities to maximise economic opportunities for the UK through new technologies and the supply chain.

Government is working with industry to adopt CCUS in the UK by reducing its costs and capturing the export opportunities, and a CCUS Cost Challenge Taskforce will report to government in July this year. Energy Minister Claire Perry will host an international CCUS summit with the International Energy Agency, in Edinburgh later this year. (Carbon Capture Journal)