Carbon capture and storage (CCS) prevents carbon dioxide, primarily produced by industry, from being released into the atmosphere by capturing and storing it underground.

The UK's oil and gas and CCS regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA), has how opened nominations for potential carbon storage locations. This means energy companies can put forward areas of seabed that they hope to develop for CCS.

It could lead to more licenses for CCS being awarded in the southern North Sea near Bacton Gas Terminal on the north Norfolk coast, where there are plans for a CCS facility and hydrogen hub.

Bacton Gas Terminal (Image: Mike Page) The NSTA previously awarded 21 licenses in the UK’s first-ever carbon storage licensing round in 2023, with the sector hoping for a second licensing round later this year.

Energy companies Shell, Perenco and ENI were all awarded licenses off the coast of Norfolk.

However, while the government pledged £22bn of funding for CCS........

© Norwich Evening News