REPORT: Quantification of the UK CO2 storage export potential for a carbon capture and storage service
Summary
Authors:
L. Abel
J. Pearce
M. Akhurst
K. Kirk
H. Morris
J. Williams
British Geological Survey
Quantification of the UK CO2 storage export potential for a carbon capture and storage service
January 2025
This report assesses the UK targets to achieve net zero and the appraisal and operation of UK carbon storage needed to support industrial decarbonisation and contribute to European carbon reduction efforts. By assessing the availability and timing of licenced UK carbon storage capacity, the study identifies the need for all UK currently licenced capacity to become fully operational to store CO2 captured both domestically and from Europe. The findings highlight risks, such as delays in storage development and capacity shortfalls, which could jeopardise the UK’s net-zero goals. The report underscores the need for timely investment in new storage sites and efficient utilisation of existing licences, ensuring sufficient capacity to meet future CO2 capture rates and support a UK storage service for European decarbonisation.
This project was funded by IDRIC (under EPSRC award number: EP/V027050/1). The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of IDRIC. Neither IDRIC nor EPSRC can be held responsible for them.