The announcement follows news of the government’s commitment to support carbon capture and storage (CCS) for the EfW sector (see letsrecycle.com story).
Cory intends to install CCS technology at its existing 750,000-tonnes-per-year capacity EfW facility and its new, adjacent 800,000-tonnes-per-year facility – expected to be operational by 2026 – in Belvedere, southeast London.
The company claims the project could deliver 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 savings by 2030.
Dougie Sutherland, CEO of Cory said: “Cory’s carbon capture project has the potential to be game-changing – not only would it be one of the largest CCS projects in the UK, but it would also lead the way for river-based solutions, using the existing, natural infrastructure of the Thames to transport CO2.
“It could also help other businesses along the River Thames to unlock their contribution to the UK’s net zero target by establishing a transportation hub using river shipment options.”
Cory says it has notified the Planning Inspectorate of its intent to submit a Development Consent Order application for the project.
Timescale
A company spokesperson told letsrecycle.com that timescales relating to the installation of the technology were “largely dependent on government funding”.
Cory’s carbon capture project has the potential to be game-changing
– Dougie Sutherland, CEO of Cory
If Cory was funded as a Track-1 Phase-2 project, then the technology would need to be operational by the end of 2027. If it were a Track-2 Phase-2 project, it would be slightly later.
The spokesperson said Cory was looking to get to a state of readiness, so they were able to participate as “a very attractive project” in BEIS’s cluster sequencing programme.
River Thames
Cory intends to use marine shipment to transport liquefied CO2 to an offshore subsea storage site.
The company says the project highlights the “strategic importance” of the Thames as existing, natural infrastructure which could help to establish a transport hub to ship CO2 from several other major industrial facilities in the region. Cory says it will be able to access operational subsea storage locations, including the industrial clusters already selected by the government.
The project forms part of Cory’s wider decarbonisation strategy, which includes the development of “one of the largest district heating networks in the UK” in partnership with Swedish energy firm Vattenfall (see letsrecycle.com story).
CCS
The cost and efficacy of carbon capture and storage at EfW plants hit the headlines in October with the publication of two conflicting reports (see letsrecycle.com story).
Carbon capture technologies will be vital in the fight against the climate crisis
– Dougie Sutherland, CEO of Cory
A report published on 5 October by consultancy Eunomia and commissioned by waste management company Viridor claims that using CCUS technology on EfW facilities could be “some of the cheapest” of any industrial sector. This is thanks in “large part” to the location of many facilities close to potential CCUS clusters and port hubs, Eunomia says.
However, in a report published on 4 October, Zero Waste Europe described CCUS at EfW plants as “an expensive distraction to a circular economy”.
Mr Sutherland welcomed the government’s decision to back CCS at EfW plants. He said: “Carbon capture technologies will be vital in the fight against the climate crisis, and we welcome the government’s recent announcement that it will provide financial backing for EfW CCS projects.
“Subject to the right regulatory framework and support being in place, Cory stands ready to invest and help the UK to enhance its position as a world leader in green technology.”
Cory
Cory currently works directly with seven London boroughs, including Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Bexley, and Tower Hamlets, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the City of London.
The company underwent a rebrand in May to “refocus” the company’s operations from energy generation and place greater emphasis on its waste services, dropping the words ‘Riverside Energy’ from its name (see letsrecycle.com story).
The company says it plans to invest more than £800 million in its operations and river infrastructure in the coming years. This includes the planned Riverside Energy Park next to the company’s existing EfW facility.
RDF Conference | 25 November | Congress Centre, London
Now in its eighth year, the RDF Conference has established itself as one of the key must-attend conferences for all those operating in the RDF, SRF and energy from waste sectors.
Learn more here.
Subscribe for free