DESNZ has now responded (18/11/24) to the call for evidence which closed in May earlier this year, seeking views on the government’s vision for Non-Pipeline Transport (NPT) and cross-border CO2 networks.

The 85 respondents primarily included prospective capture projects deploying via NPT, as well as trade associations and advisory groups. The REA’s submission to this call for evidence can be read here.

Topics covered in the CfE included:

• Views on the potential vision for the sector, as set out in the call for evidence
• NPT value chain data
• Carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) policy landscape
• Wider deployment considerations

Summary of responses

• NPT is a necessity for the successful expansion of CCUS across the UK 
  Reasons cited included NPT’s role in accelerating decarbonisation across the UK’s regions, and NPT as supporting a self-sustaining CCUS market and resilient network.
• Cross-border networks be vital for delivering domestic benefits but require consistent CO2 standards, political agreements and overcoming regulatory barriers
• NPT stakeholders greatly interested, representing a range of projects with significant volumes of CO2 to be captured from 2030
  Good progress has been made by industry on developing technical solutions across transport methods.
• Calls made for fairness in NPT project assessment
  The wider value offered by NPT projects compared to pipeline alternatives should be considered.
• NPT deployment will require changes across business models, the CCS Network Code and the T&S economic licence
• High capital, operational costs, uncertainty on long-term CO2 supply for stores, and planning and consenting processes all cited as potential barriers to NPT
  NPT projects stated a greater need for government support than those considering merchant imports.

Next steps

• Government intends to publish a consultation on NPT in H2 2025, covering support for NPT costs, risk allocation and economic licensing.
• A series of workshops for industry will be held in the run up to the consultation.
• Separate engagement will be carried out for cross-border CO2 T&S networks to better understand the opportunities, recognising the desire to move towards a self-sustaining market.

View the page here for further information.