HyNet hub

The Protos Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline (Proposed Development) would form part of HyNet, a low carbon hydrogen and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project. The objectives of HyNet are to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from industry and support economic growth in the North West of England and North Wales.

The Proposed Development would connect to the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project subject to a Development Consent Order (DCO). The HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline DCO application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in October 2022, and is currently in the determination stage, with a decision from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero due in March 2024.

The Proposed Development is for the construction of a new Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline and Above Ground Installation (AGI) to serve Protos Energy Park:

• Protos AGI. The AGI area would allow for the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline, as well as routine inspections and maintenance. The preferred location for the Protos AGI is a small parcel of greenfield land set back from Marsh Lane, on land owned by Peel. The AGI would be approximately 55m x 40m​ in size (see diagram on left).
  
  The AGI would include a control kiosk (maximum height 5m) which would provide Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) equipment for distributing power and for control and monitoring of the system. In addition, associated infrastructure would be provided which would include above and below ground auxiliary pipework and valves, instrumentation and sensors, cable trays, and electrical transformers.

• A buried pipeline, which would be approximately 1.1km in length. The pipeline would carry carbon dioxide and connect the Protos AGI to the similar AGI at Ince.
  
  The diagram shows a broad red line area, which covers the pipeline working corridor proposed for construction and the blue line shows the indicative pipeline route (this will be firmed up as part of the planning submission).

Project stage

To gain consent to build the Proposed Development, Liverpool Bay CCS Limited (the Applicant) is currently preparing a planning application, which will be submitted as a Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) application to Cheshire West and Chester Council in March 2024. The Ince AGI forms part of the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline DCO application and will not form part of the Protos Spur Pipeline planning application.

The Proposed Development is currently in its pre-application phase, where Liverpool Bay CCS Limited is engaging with local stakeholders and compiling the information required for the planning application, which will include necessary supporting environmental information.

Protos Energy Park masterplan

Protos Energy Park is owned by infrastructure developer Peel. As well as the Protos Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline Proposed Development, a number of connected projects are in development at Protos Energy Park, including a new Carbon Capture and Storage plant.

The proposed facility is a joint venture between Encyclis, one of the UK’s leading energy-from-waste providers, and Biffa, one of the UK’s leaders in sustainable waste management. The proposed facility plans to capture approximately 380,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the Energy Recovery facility at Protos. The carbon dioxide would then be transported away by the Protos Spur Pipeline to Ince Above Ground Installation, eventually being stored in depleted gas fields in Liverpool Bay.

A planning application for the Protos Carbon Capture and Storage plant is due to be submitted in December 2023 – for more information visit www.CCFconsultation.co.uk.