Wireline Issue 52 Winter 2021

Top: Sian Lloyd-Rees, UK Managing Director of Aker Offshore Wind (left) with Deirdre Michie, CEO, OGUK (right)

Bottom Right: Illustration showing where the UK's gas comes from, OGUK's Energy Trasition Outlooks and Investing in the transition publications. Both publications available for free download from oguk.org.uk

UKwill need all five Carbon Capture ‘cluster’ projects OGUK has underlined that the UK will need all of the proposed cluster projects planned for the mid 2020s and more, if it is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The newly appointed Energy Minister Greg Hands announced that the government has picked two for the first track: the Hynet cluster, based in the north west of England, and the East Coast cluster, made up of Zerocarbon Humber and Net Zero Teesside. The Scottish cluster Acorn was announced as a reserve project for Track 1. There are several other carbon capture cluster projects currently in development and scheduled to be put forward for Track 2 of the Government’s plan, including V Net Zero (also based in Humberside), the Delphynus cluster in South Humber and one based in the Southampton area. In total, they could help the UK capture up to 100 million tonnes/yr of carbon to decarbonise sectors such as heavy freight and marine transport, as well as steel, chemical and cement manufacturing. The Climate Change Committee has said technologies such as carbon capture and storage and hydrogen are critical in helping the UK get to net zero. OGUK Sustainability Director Mike Tholen said: “This is a landmark moment for the UK…. However, we are going to need all of these carbon capture and hydrogen projects and more if the country is to become carbon neutral by 2050.” He added that all the carbon capture clusters in development involve an oil and gas company. “We look forward to seeing both Track 1 and Track 2 clusters make progress urgently, turbo charging progress towards our climate goals while providing jobs and opportunities to energy communities across the UK.”

In her role as Supply Chain Champion, she will support OGUK in representing energy businesses that generate £27bn/year and employ 92,000 people across the UK. OGUK CEO Deirdre Michie said: “We need to ensure a managed transition that takes people with us and supports the UK’s use of oil and gas while accelerating low carbon technologies like wind, hydrogen and carbon capture, which are so crucial to the UK achieving net zero emissions by 2050.” Lloyd-Rees said: “Over 1,000 UK companies support the UK’s energy industry and many export globally, generating £60 billion for our economy in the five years preceding the pandemic. Their technology, innovation, skills and capabilities will be key to achieving the changes needed in our energy systems. I’m honoured to champion their cause.”

UKGovernment welcomes OGUK’s newSupply Chain Champion Energy Minister Greg Hands MP has welcomed Sian Lloyd-Rees as OGUK’s Supply Chain Champion, a new role created as part of the North Sea Transition Deal. The announcement was made during his first visit to Aberdeen since his appointment. Lloyd-Rees is UK Managing Director of Aker Offshore Wind and a board member of OGUK, the leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry.

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