UK begins construction of two flagship carbon capture projects

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Carbon Herald or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The UK has officially begun construction on two flagship carbon capture projects: Heidelberg Materials UK’s cement plant in Padeswood, Flintshire, and Encyclis’ waste-to-energy facility at the Protos site in Ellesmere Port
• Both projects are set to become the first in the UK to integrate full-scale carbon capture into hard-to-abate sectors, aiming to collectively capture 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ annually while preserving 500 skilled clean energy jobs

🔭 The context: The projects serve as anchor sites for HyNet, the UK’s leading carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) cluster centred around Eni’s Liverpool Bay infrastructure
• Backed by the UK government’s £9.4 billion funding commitment to scale CCUS, these developments reflect an industrial strategy focused on decarbonising cement and waste — two emissions-intensive sectors with few viable alternatives to capture technologies
• They also highlight a broader push to modernise legacy industries while maintaining regional economic resilience

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Cement and waste incineration account for a significant share of industrial emissions globally
• By integrating carbon capture at scale, the UK is demonstrating a pathway to decarbonise these sectors without halting production
• The projects advance the nation’s net-zero goals while building long-term infrastructure that could serve as a model for other carbon-intensive economies

⏭️ What's next: Construction will proceed in parallel with broader HyNet infrastructure deployment, including pipelines and storage systems
• Once operational, the plants will not only cut emissions but also support supply chains and innovation hubs in North Wales and the North West
• Success will depend on maintaining government support, timely permitting, and eventual cost reductions for wider sector adoption

💬 One quote: “These trailblazing projects position North Wales and the North West at the heart of the clean energy economy.” – Michael Shanks, UK Energy Minister

📈 One stat: Together, the Padeswood and Protos projects are expected to capture 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to removing over 250,000 cars from the road annually

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