On July 9th 2021, INEOS Chemicals Grangemouth, INEOS FPS and Petroineos signed a commitment with the Acorn CCS Project to jointly develop Scotland’s first carbon capture and storage system. The system will link Scotland’s industrial midland of Grangemouth to the Acorn CO2 transport and storage system in Northeast Scotland by 2027.
Acorn is currently one of the most advanced and cost-effective hydrogen projects in the United Kingdom. The Project is currently in development, specifically in the design and engineering phase. It’s expected to be fully operational in mid 2020’s and to achieve the majority of the target of 10Mt/yr of CO2 storage listed in the UK Government’s Ten Point Plan to achieve a green Industrial Revolution by 2030.
The announcement represents a stepping stone for Scotland, as it will help the country meet its climate targets of effective carbon capture and storage. The project at the Grangemouth site will enable the capture and storage of approximately one million tonnes a year of CO2 by 2027, with the goal of capturing much more throughout the years to come.
INEOS and Petroineos own and operate one of Scotland’s largest manufacturing sites at Grangemouth. In the 15 years that it has had ownership, they reduced 37% of all CO2 emissions at the site. However, once the carbon capture and storage project with Acorn reaches the operational phase, it’s expected to reduce the emissions to more than 50%.
Andrew Gardner, Chairman INEOS Grangemouth, commented that: “INEOS and Petroineos at Grangemouth recognise the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our industrial processes. As one of Scotland’s largest manufacturers and employers, we acknowledge that we are operating a CO2 intensive industry and we have a significant role to play in helping Scotland reach its Net Carbon Zero target by 2045. We have already made significant reductions since taking ownership of the site and we are delighted to be taking this further by supporting the Acorn CCS Scottish Cluster bid. Once operational, the carbon capture and storage system will provide an essential route to permanently and safely capture and store CO2 emissions for large industrial emitters throughout Scotland with significant positive impact for Climate Change and the country.”
Nick Cooper, CEO of Storegga, the lead developer of the Acorn Project said: “The Acorn Project partners (Storegga, Shell and Harbour Energy) are delighted that INEOS and Petroineos have entered into an MOU with Acorn, which is a really significant step in managing Scotland’s industrial emissions. The Acorn CCS and hydrogen project is advanced, highly scalable and has clear visibility of a large CO2 customer base. Acorn provides critical carbon reduction infrastructure to the growing Scottish Cluster of emitters and to the wider UK.”
