Plans have been revealed for a carbon capture scheme which could see an underground pipe built through Wirral and a maintenance works constructed near Meols.
The proposal, which is designed to help the cement and lime industries reduce greenhouse gas emissions, would see producers in Derbyshire and Staffordshire each developing facilities at their sites.
They would be linked to a pipeline to transport the emissions through Cheshire and Wirral (pictured above), then offshore to permanent storage in depleted gas reservoirs under the East Irish seabed near Morecombe.
The body behind the plans, Peak Cluster, says a pipe has been identified as the best solution to transport the carbon dioxide “to ensure emissions are not increased through transport and to avoid increasing traffic movements”.
It would be built using an open-cut trench method, and require a working width of 30 to 40m, with each section being worked on for around six months.
An area near Meols has been identified as the location for an above ground facility for metering and maintenance works, and compressing the CO2.
Consultation documentation produced by the company states: “We are currently considering compressor, tall vent, layout and site location options.
“We will use the feedback provided during this consultation to further refine our preferred design and will provide more information during our phase 2 consultation.”
The company says the scheme will reduce the CO2 created when cement and lime are produced from entering the atmosphere, and help ensure the long-term supply of ‘British-made’ cement by meeting net zero targets.
It estimates that the construction of the project will create 1,500 roles and will help to protect approximately 2,000 existing jobs at the cement and lime plants, and safeguard and create around 13,000 jobs by 2050, through both direct and indirect routes.
The first phase of the consultations runs until Friday 27 February.
A consultation event will take place at Hoylake Parade Community Centre on Saturday 24 January from 1pm – 4.30pm.
There will also be a webinar on Tuesday 27 January from 1pm – 2.30pm which can be accessed at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_94ho-glzSJONmsGMhvJRXg#/
More information is also available at https://peakcluster-consultation.co.uk/.
A further phase of consultation will take place later this year, following which an application for the scheme will be made to the Planning Inspectorate. The final decision will made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
If approved, it is estimated work could get under way in 2029 with the scheme operational by 2032.