RWE launch public consultation for Staythorpe power station carbon capture project

A public consultation has been launched into a power station carbon capture project — aiming to remove the CO₂ equivalent of 800,000 petrol cars.

RWE has launched the consultation exercise for its project to decarbonise Staythorpe Power Station, by retrofitting the site with technology for the capture of 3.7million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

The consultation period runs until March 18, and two in-person events are to take place; tomorrow (February 13) from 1pm to 7.30pm at the Robin Hood Theatre, Averham; and on March 1, from 10am to 4pm at the Farndon Memorial Hall.

In addition to the in-person events, the project team will also host an online webinar on March 4, from 7pm to 8pm.

The plans are likely to include four carbon capture units, a facility to compress and purify CO₂, as well as new electrical transformers, a water treatment plant, and cooling infrastructure.

RWE claim it would support 100 long-term operational jobs and create thousands of additional jobs during construction, as well as delivering significant local economic investment.

Full details of the plan can be seen in a virtual exhibition on RWE’s website.

Dave Dyson, RWE’s Staythorpe Station Manager, said: “Carbon capture technology presents an exciting opportunity for the Staythorpe plant, securing its place as a key low carbon UK power generator for the future.

“The project is at an early stage of development and we encourage the community to participate in the consultation process. The project could support the decarbonisation of the power sector, supporting security of supply and secure quality skilled jobs.”

Staythorpe Power Station has been operational since 2010, and uses natural gas to produce power.

The proposed carbon capture technology will separate and capture emissions from the process, which will then be transported by pipeline and stored under the North Sea, to enable decarbonised electricity to be provided to approximately 3.2 million homes.

RWE say the project is part of its goal to achieve net zero by 2040.

An application is expected to be submitted to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in summer this year, with the feedback received from the consultation, environmental and technical surveys, and statutory consultees including Newark and Sherwood District Council to help shape the plans that are presented in the application.

If approved, construction could begin by the end of the decade and would take up to four years to complete.