Cory has announced plans to apply CCS technology to the UK’s largest single-site energy from waste operation, with the potential to create the world’s largest single-site EfW decarbonisation project.
The ambitious project aims to capture approximately 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 per annum by 2030, providing a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions for the several million people Cory services across London and the South East. The CCS project will involve installing technology designed to capture 90 percent of emissions from both Cory’s existing EfW facility and its new, adjacent EfW facility, which is expected to become operational by 2026.
The project’s scope encompasses the capture of both biogenic and fossil emissions from waste, positioning it to play an important role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors of the economy. This approach has been recognised by the Committee on Climate Change as essential for the UK to meet its net zero target.
The project proposes to utilise marine shipment for transporting liquefied CO2 to an offshore subsea storage site, building upon Cory’s extensive maritime expertise that extends back to the late 1700s. This approach highlights the strategic importance of the Thames as existing, natural infrastructure that could facilitate the establishment of a transportation hub for shipping CO2 from several other major industrial facilities in the region.
The river-based transportation system reduces the need for complex infrastructure to transport CO2 whilst providing operational flexibility and confidence. This approach enables Cory to access operational subsea storage locations, including the industrial clusters already selected by the UK government for carbon storage initiatives.
The project represents a significant advancement in the UK’s approach to industrial decarbonisation, particularly within the waste management sector. By targeting both existing and new EfW facilities at a single site, the project demonstrates the potential for large-scale carbon capture implementation at established industrial locations.
The initiative’s focus on utilising existing Thames infrastructure for CO2 transportation could serve as a model for broader regional decarbonisation efforts, potentially facilitating similar projects for other major industrial facilities located along the river system.
With the new EfW facility expected to commence operations by 2026 and full CCS implementation targeted for 2030, the project timeline aligns with broader UK decarbonisation objectives. The phased approach allows for the integration of CCS technology across both existing and new facilities, maximising the carbon capture potential of the site whilst maintaining operational continuity.
For more information visit www.corygroup.co.uk
