The Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) has achieved financial close, enabling the launch of the UK’s first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. NEP, in which TotalEnergies holds a 10% stake, aims to permanently store up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 annually in its initial phase. The project will serve three major carbon capture initiatives in the Teesside region—NZT Power, H2Teesside, and Teesside Hydrogen CO2 Capture.

The CCS infrastructure will feature an onshore CO2 gathering network, compression facilities, and a 145-kilometer offshore pipeline linked to subsea injection systems. These systems will deposit CO2 into the Endurance saline aquifer, located approximately 1,000 meters beneath the seabed. Construction is set to commence in mid-2025, with the first CO2 storage operations anticipated by 2028.

Arnaud Le Foll, Senior Vice President of New Business – Carbon Neutrality at TotalEnergies, highlighted the importance of the project: “We are thrilled to be part of this milestone in advancing the UK’s CCS industry. NEP is a pioneering initiative, and we are eager to permanently store CO2 from one of the country’s largest industrial hubs. This aligns with TotalEnergies’ strategy to build substantial CO2 storage capacity in the North Sea, leveraging our operational and geoscience expertise.”

Chris Daykin, Director of the Northern Endurance Partnership, emphasized the project’s significance: “This marks a pivotal step in the development of CCUS infrastructure, supporting the UK’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Backed by our shareholders and the UK Government, NEP is now moving into its execution phase, targeting start-up in 2028.”

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, praised the project’s transformative potential: “This investment signals the beginning of a new era for clean energy in Britain. It enhances energy security, supports key industries, and creates thousands of skilled jobs in Teesside and the North East. This embodies the Government’s mission to position the UK as a global clean energy leader—replacing energy insecurity with sustainable, homegrown power while revitalizing industrial regions.”

The NEP CCS initiative represents a groundbreaking development in the UK’s decarbonization efforts, demonstrating a collaborative approach between government, industry, and innovation. By advancing CCS technology, the project not only underscores the UK’s commitment to its climate goals but also sets a precedent for future clean energy ventures worldwide.

The Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) is the designated CO2 transportation and storage provider for the East Coast Cluster (ECC), a key initiative in the UK’s carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) strategy. NEP’s infrastructure will initially support three Teesside-based carbon capture projects—NZT Power, H2Teesside, and Teesside Hydrogen CO2 Capture. These projects were prioritized by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in March 2023 as part of the UK’s cluster sequencing process for CCUS.

NEP has achieved a significant milestone by securing the UK’s first Carbon Dioxide Transport and Storage Licence under the Transportation and Storage Regulatory Investment (TRI) regime. This framework aims to stimulate private investment in long-term infrastructure by providing incentives and safeguards, thereby supporting the development of the emerging CCUS market in the UK. Additionally, NEP has been granted a CO2 Storage Permit by the North Sea Transition Authority, enabling CO2 injection and permanent storage once the necessary infrastructure is complete.

The partnership is supported by a consortium of leading energy companies, with bp and Equinor each holding a 45% stake and TotalEnergies owning the remaining 10%. This collaboration combines the expertise and resources of all stakeholders, ensuring the successful development and operation of the project.

By serving the ECC, NEP plays a critical role in advancing the UK’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. Its innovative approach to CO2 management underscores the importance of integrating carbon capture technologies into industrial operations, paving the way for a sustainable, low-carbon future.