VPI has become the first company in the UK to receive both environmental and planning approvals for a large-scale carbon capture retrofit using Shell’s Cansolv amine capture system. The project will be installed at VPI’s Immingham Combined Heat and Power Plant, located in the Humber’s energy and refining cluster.
The scheme is expected to capture up to 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, supporting the Viking CCS transport and storage network and providing decarbonisation opportunities for nearby industrial users. The project is positioned next to the UK’s largest port, facilitating both regional and imported energy-intensive operations.
North Lincolnshire Council granted planning permission for the retrofit, which offers a cost-effective alternative to constructing a new decarbonised plant. The Environment Agency issued the environmental permit for the use of the Cansolv system, a post-combustion technology that absorbs carbon dioxide from flue gases using amine solvents.
The development forms part of the UK government-backed Viking CCS initiative, which has received Treasury support. Next stages include formal recognition of the Humber site as an anchor emitter and securing co-funding for continued development, targeted for April 2026.
The project is expected to generate around 20,000 jobs at peak construction and attract £13 billion in private investment to the region. VPI aims to maintain the Humber as a central hub for carbon capture and storage within the current parliamentary term.
Jonathan Briggs, Director of Development and Delivery at VPI, said: “As the government aims to develop the UK’s carbon capture and storage industry, projected to contribute around £30 billion to GDP by 2050, selecting the right projects in the right locations is crucial, especially during times of fiscal restraint. “The permit and planning permission reflect VPI’s dedication to ensuring our project meets one of the key criteria for making CCS a success – delivering the project swiftly and establishing the Humber as a central hub for this emerging industry. We have completed all the necessary preparations at this stage”.
