The Acorn Partners, comprising Storegga, Shell, Harbour Energy, and North Sea Midstream Partners, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uniper to jointly explore a solution for transporting captured carbon dioxide (CO2) from the Isle of Grain to Peterhead Port. Under this collaboration, the CO2 would be seamlessly integrated into the Acorn transportation and storage network, allowing for its conveyance to a permanent storage site beneath the North Sea. Uniper is actively assessing the retrofitting of post-combustion carbon capture technology at its Grain power station in Kent for this purpose.

The key aspects of the MoU involve a collective effort to devise a solution for shipping captured CO2, contributing to the UK Government’s Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage Cluster Sequencing Track-2 objectives. Uniper and Acorn are committed to collaborating on the development of technical, commercial, and regulatory proposals that facilitate the efficient shipment of CO2 within the stipulated timeframe.

As part of Uniper's strategy, the company is exploring options to retrofit post-combustion carbon capture technology on up to three units at its Grain power station, a 1,326MW combined cycle gas turbine plant situated on the Isle of Grain in Kent. The Acorn project's transportation and storage network will play a pivotal role, utilizing repurposed gas pipelines to facilitate the transport of captured CO2 for permanent storage 2.5km below the seabed in the North Sea.

Acorn, as part of the Scottish Cluster, has received acknowledgment from the UK Government as one of the transport and storage systems best positioned to support the commitment of capturing and storing 20 to 30 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030. This collaboration reflects the potential of the Acorn project to contribute to emissions reduction efforts not only in Scotland but also across the wider UK.

The Scottish Cluster, leveraging existing oil and gas infrastructure in the UK North Sea, aims to minimize physical development work, reduce costs, and mitigate project delivery risks. In addition, Peterhead Port offers an additional avenue for shipping emissions, extending domestic reach and providing opportunities for international emitters to utilize UK storage facilities.

The MoU signifies a significant advancement in developing a comprehensive solution for the transportation and storage of captured CO2, aligning with the UK's ambitious carbon capture and storage goals. The collaboration underscores the commitment to decarbonizing the energy sector and fostering sustainable practices.