What is carbon capture and storage and how does it work?

When waste is converted to energy at facilities such as Ferrybridge 1 and 2, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is produced.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the process of avoiding emissions of this CO₂ and either safely storing it so that it can’t re-enter the atmosphere or using it in industry.

enfinium is exploring options for how the captured carbon is used, stored and transported, including, for example, liquefaction facilities to allow for transportation by rail, or through enabling a pipeline to be developed separately to take the captured carbon offsite.

Why is carbon capture important?

CCS will form a key part of our decarbonisation journey as both a company and a nation.

As recognised by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), accelerating both reduction and removal of carbon emissions are essential to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. The CCC has described Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) as a ‘necessity, not an option’ for the transition to net zero.

The UK government aims to capture between 20-30 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2030 and over 50 million tonnes per year by 2035, as part of its CCS Vision, meaning that Ferrybridge will contribute significantly to the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Closer to Ferrybridge, authorities and LEPs within North and West Yorkshire have strengthened their commitments to local emissions reductions, with a target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2038.

Energy from waste facilities will remain an important part of waste management and energy production in the UK for the foreseeable future, meaning that capturing the carbon they produce will be critical to achieving net zero and decarbonisation.