Agenda and minutes

No interests were declared.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 March 2024 be approved.

The Group received a presentation from the Project Director of Progressive Energy, who develop and implement low-carbon projects to support the decarbonisation of the energy sector.

The Project Director advised that the ‘Peak Cluster’ cement and lime facilities within Staffordshire and Derbyshire together:

·         Produce 40% of the UK’s lime and cement

·         Emit 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year

·         Account for over 23% of emissions in Staffordshire and Derbyshire

The Project Director stated that there is no other grouping like this within the UK, and that Cement is a vital material for construction and is the most consumed human-made substance on the planet. 

It was explained that, to make cement or lime, limestone is taken out of the ground and thermally processed at high temperatures, and this process inevitably generates carbon dioxide.  The fuel being used to create the heat causes a third of the carbon dioxide emissions, and the emissions from the limestone material itself account for the other two thirds.  This carbon dioxide needs to be captured, to prevent it from going into the atmosphere, and locked away (sequestered).  This technology is called carbon capture and storage, and is required to achieve carbon neutrality.

The Project Director explained that the project will involve building a carbon capture plant at each of the five big cement and lime sites.  This is a large piece of equipment which captures the carbon dioxide out of the flue gas before it goes up the chimney into the atmosphere.  The captured carbon dioxide then needs to be stored in depleted gas fields, deep below the seabed.  This will involve connecting the five sites and transporting carbon dioxide by pipeline to the Irish Sea. 

The Project Director advised the Group that Progressive Energy is looking at pipeline corridors to ascertain a sensible route, and that construction will be similar to a gas or waterpipe.  However, there are multiple factors to consider, for example, the route will not be built through built-up areas; ecologically sensitive sites will be avoided where possible; and topography – pipes will not be built on steep slopes for example.  This process is ongoing and will be in the public domain in the Autumn of 2024, and will then go to consultation with the relevant bodies.

The Group was advised that Progressive Energy will spend a lot of time in public consultations with local authorities, other statutory bodies, landowners and the public.  As this project is of national significance, permission will then be sought via the Secretary of State, and not the Local Planning Authority.

The ambition for the project is to be operational by 2030.

The Group discussed a number of further issues relevant to the project, including: the stability and ecological impact of the Irish Sea storage sites; planning arrangements for the carbon capture plant; the economic and regulatory factors affecting the decision on project go-ahead; and opportunities for Biodiversity Net Gain and how these might be captured for the Council’s Plan For Nature.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.