Energy company VPI is seeking government backing for a £1.5 billion carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at its Immingham power station, aiming to decarbonise one of the UK’s most emissions-heavy industrial regions.
The proposal involves retrofitting the existing gas-fired facility with carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure, enabling captured carbon to be transported via a short onshore pipeline and stored under the North Sea using existing offshore assets. This approach avoids the need for new-build power generation, reducing capital outlay and timelines.
The project would serve as a key part of the wider Viking CCS network and is expected to create 1,500 jobs during construction. In the longer term, it supports regional decarbonisation and positions the Humber as a hub for carbon imports, with government projections suggesting potential tax revenues of up to £30 billion by 2050.
VPI is requesting official designation as the anchor emitter for Viking CCS in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review—an essential step to secure investment and move to delivery.
For industrial operators, the network would offer shared CCS infrastructure and lower barriers to compliance with emissions. The project is pitched as a strategic opportunity to clean up heavy industry, unlock private capital, and drive regional economic growth through low-carbon infrastructure.
