Introduction
The Runcorn Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline Proposed Development would connect to the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project focused on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and subject to a Development Consent Order (DCO). The HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline DCO application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by Liverpool Bay CCS Limited, a member of the Eni SpA group, in October 2022, and was granted consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in March 2024. The objectives of HyNet are to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from industry and to support economic growth in North Wales and the North West of England.
Runcorn Spur Pipeline
The Proposed Development would connect the Viridor Energy from Waste facility’s new carbon capture plant in Runcorn to the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline at Ince:
- Runcorn Above Ground Installation (AGI): comprising a fenced compound housing equipment designed to receive carbon dioxide from the Viridor facility and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline. The AGI would be approximately 35m x 40m in size and would be located on industrial land adjacent to the Viridor Energy from Waste plant. For more information about Above Ground Installations (AGI), please click here.
- A pipeline transporting carbon dioxide, connecting the Runcorn AGI to the Ince AGI (the Ince AGI has already been granted development consent through the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline DCO application). The pipeline would typically be installed above-ground through industrial land and buried through agricultural land. The initial design suggests that the pipeline would be approximately 10km in length.
- Additional equipment at Ince AGI
- Temporary construction compounds
The diagram shows a red line area within which the construction will take place. This area will be further refined to identify a preferred route as part of the ongoing design process. The yellow lines show the potential access routes that could be used during construction of the Proposed Development.
Project stage
Work is ongoing to engage with landowners potentially impacted by the Runcorn Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline Proposed Development.
A study of the pipeline route options has been carried out, with factors including environment, land use, planning, engineering and affected stakeholders taken into consideration to select a preferred route. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will also be carried out to understand the likely effects that the proposals would have on the environment.
To gain consent to build the Proposed Development, Liverpool Bay CCS Limited (the Applicant) will prepare planning applications, to be submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to Cheshire West and Chester Council and Halton Borough Council in 2025.
The Runcorn Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline Proposed Development is currently in its pre-planning application phase, where Liverpool Bay CCS Limited is engaging with local stakeholders and compiling the information required for the planning application. Ahead of the submission of the planning application a non-statutory pre-application consultation will be carried out, which will include:
- Making project plans and information available to view and to comment on online
- Notifying consultees of the consultation
- Providing a 28-day consultation period
- Reporting how the consultation was undertaken and how people’s views were considered in a Statement of Community Involvement (SoCI) report