The North London Waste Authority (NLWA) welcomes the UK Government's major announcement today confirming funding for the launch of the UK’s first carbon capture projects. Carbon capture, which sees CO2 emissions extracted and stored before they can reach the atmosphere, is a key technology in helping reduce the UK’s emissions and one which NLWA has been exploring as part of future opportunities to decarbonise the Edmonton EcoPark energy-from-waste facility.
We are excited to see the UK invest in this technology with the Government’s commitment of up to £21.7 billion of funding over 25 years to launch two major carbon capture sites, in the North East of England (the East Coast Cluster), and North West of England and North Wales (HyNet).
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Chair of the North London Waste Authority, said: “We welcome today’s announcement, which is a significant positive step forward that will help maintain industry confidence and will be instrumental in achieving net zero and the UK’s clean power ambitions.
“As we continue to explore carbon capture opportunities at our own energy-from-waste facility in north London, NLWA are deeply encouraged by this clear signal of support from Government which puts the UK on course to become a world leader in carbon capture and hydrogen.”
NLWA is now calling on the Government to further enable investment in carbon capture technology by outlining funding and a timeline for Track 2 carbon capture projects - including dispersed emitters requiring non-pipeline transport (NPT) options – to ensure carbon capture and storage can move forward at pace and across the country including in London. NLWA looks forward to the Government’s response to their recent consultation on NPT and hopes they will commit to substantial interventions in order to establish an NPT network of appropriate scale and flexibility to meet future demand and net-zero targets.
Councillor Loakes said: “It is imperative that we all, including the waste disposal industry, tackle our carbon emissions. We are glad that the Government has shown their commitment to carbon capture technology and hope they continue this investment through substantial interventions to provide the infrastructure and funding required to make carbon capture technology effective at scale and realistic for activities and locations like ours in North London. Unlike others in London we have already clearly indicated and invested in our interest in the development of carbon capture technology, but clear and full support from the Government will be critical in allowing us and others in London and the south-east to implement carbon capture and storage. NLWA and our seven north London boroughs are primed and ready to help support the delivery of this critical decarbonisation policy and its contribution towards our national renewal.”