bp, Equinor, GE Vernova: A New Era for UK Power
In the industrial heartland of Teesside, an energy project is taking shape that could redefine the future of power generation in the United Kingdom.
Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power) is poised to become one of the world's first commercial-scale gas-fired power stations equipped with carbon capture technology.
The project, situated within the East Coast Cluster, is expected to capture up to two million tonnes of CO₂ annually while providing low-carbon electricity to power more than a million homes.
NZT Power comes at a crucial time as the UK has announced its new goal to slash emissions by 81% based on 1990 levels by 2035.
This development is a joint venture between bp and Equinor with support from GE Vernova and Technip Energies.
Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, says: “Net Zero Teesside Power and the Northern Endurance Partnership can help make us the UK’s first decarbonised industrial cluster, pioneering clean energy and creating the good quality jobs of the future.”
How NZT Power can support UK net zero
The UK Government aims to bring the country to net zero by 2050 and fully decarbonise the power system by 2030.
Alongside the switch to renewable energy sources, the need for alternatives remains as they cannot always be reliable.
When the sun goes down or the wind stops blowing, the country cannot simply stop using power.
NZT Power will provide gas power fitted with carbon capture and storage to supplement sources of renewable energy.
Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, says: “Meeting our clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050 targets means that we must use every low carbon technology available and CCUS will play a vital role in the journey.
“For our industrial heartlands, decarbonisation does not mean de-industrialisation. It is through the use of CCUS that heavy industries can make the transition to produce low carbon products and retain up to 77,000 jobs in carbon-intensive industries at risk of being relocated abroad.
“The East Coast Cluster, which includes Net Zero Teesside, is set to be a key enabler of reducing emissions in the North East of England, which has a proud industrial history.”
Juan David Lopez, Net Zero Teesside Power Project Director for Technip Energies, says: “Technip Energies' collaboration with GE Vernova on the Net Zero Teesside Power project highlights the strength of complementary expertise working together to drive decarbonisation.
"Together, we are able to deliver one of the world’s first commercial-scale projects, capturing up to two million tonnes of CO₂ per year while providing low-carbon electricity to over a million homes.
“We are proud to play a key role in this groundbreaking partnership, advancing the UK’s net zero targets and setting a new standard for future carbon capture projects.”
Why Teesside?
Teeside is an area around the River Tees in North East England, split between County Durham and North Yorkshire.
Historically, the area’s economy was dominated by heavy manufacturing until it was deindustrialised in the late 20th century.
Today, the area still significantly relies on chemical production.
Greg Bell, Sales Manager for GE Vernova, explains: “All the skills needed on the old steel site — welders, operators, mechanics — are exactly what we’ll need for NZT Power.
“There’s a big employment opportunity during the construction phase.
“There are also lots of similarities in equipment and operation, so we hope to be able to train and teach operators from the steelworks to operate NZT Power.”
NZT Power expects to create and support around 3,000 construction jobs, then require around 1,000 jobs annually during operations.
It’s not just the people of Teesside. Greg says: “It’s a good location with a lot of offshore carbon storage potential.
“There’s an opportunity to sequester the CO₂ in those saline aquifers or depleted gas fields.”
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