CCUS must be integrated into the wider energy and transport landscape

A government summary of responses to its call for evidence on a future carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) network strategy has highlighted broad industry support for expanding CO₂ transport infrastructure, while pointing to unresolved questions around delivery models, funding and integration with wider energy and transport systems.

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CCUS is expected to play a significant role in meeting the UK’s net zero target, particularly in decarbonising aviation, heavy industry and enabling technologies such as low-carbon hydrogen and engineered removals.

The consultation, led by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, sought views on how CO₂ transport and storage networks should evolve as the sector moves from early, government-supported clusters towards a more self-sustaining and commercially operated model.

A central conclusion from the responses was that expanding and connecting CO₂ transport networks – primarily pipelines but also alternative modes – will be critical to scaling the sector. Stakeholders emphasised the need for a coordinated, strategic approach to network planning, rather than relying solely on individual industrial clusters. There was also support for developing a more flexible system that can accommodate different sources of captured carbon and multiple end uses or storage locations.

Transport of captured CO₂ featured prominently in the feedback, particularly around how it should be moved between capture sites, industrial hubs and offshore storage facilities. While pipelines are expected to form the backbone of the network, respondents highlighted the growing importance of non-pipeline transport options, including shipping, rail and road haulage, especially in the early stages of deployment or in regions not directly connected to pipeline infrastructure.

This multimodal approach was seen as important for enabling wider geographic participation in CCUS, including smaller or more dispersed emitters. However, it also raised challenges around cost, regulation and standardisation, with respondents noting that different transport modes may require distinct commercial frameworks and safety regimes.

The summary also indicates that respondents see CO₂ transport networks as increasingly linked to broader transport and logistics systems. For example, ports are expected to play a key role as hubs for shipping captured carbon, while existing freight infrastructure could be adapted to support interim transport solutions. Some stakeholders highlighted opportunities to align CCUS infrastructure planning with wider decarbonisation of freight and industrial transport, though this remains at an early stage.

On network design, there was general agreement that early government coordination will remain necessary to ensure efficient development, even as the sector moves towards a market-led model. Respondents pointed to the need for clear long-term policy signals, including on access rules, pricing and risk-sharing, to support private investment in transport and storage infrastructure.

The responses also identified challenges around timing and sequencing. Many stakeholders stressed that transport and storage networks must be developed in parallel with capture projects, with delays in infrastructure seen as a potential constraint on industrial decarbonisation. There were calls for clearer timelines and greater certainty on when different parts of the network will be delivered.

In terms of next steps, the government said the evidence gathered will inform the development of a long-term CCUS network strategy, including decisions on market frameworks and infrastructure planning. Further policy work is expected on issues such as third-party access to networks, integration of non-pipeline transport and the transition to a commercially viable sector.

Overall, the consultation responses suggest a consensus on the importance of CO₂ transport systems to the UK’s decarbonisation plans, but highlight that significant work remains to define how those systems will be funded, regulated and integrated into the wider energy and transport landscape.