UK: Environment consultancy Arup has been appointed by Peak Cluster to lead the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and prepare the technical documentation for the development consent order (DCO) for the Peak Cluster project. Around 40% of all the UK’s cement and lime is produced across Derbyshire and Staffordshire, according to Arup, supporting over 2000 jobs but emitting more than 3Mt/yr of CO₂.
To address this challenge, Peak Cluster will develop carbon capture facilities at cement and lime production plants operated by Tarmac, Buxton Lime, Breedon, and Holcim. The captured CO₂ will be transported via a proposed underground pipeline to Spirit Energy’s planned geological storage site, Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ), for permanent storage.
Supported by AECOM and Quod, Arup will oversee the delivery of the EIA and DCO, covering the consenting of the proposed pipeline and the carbon capture facilities, including a detailed assessment of environmental effects on the surrounding areas during both construction and operation. The evaluation will also consider the interface with Spirit Energy’s offshore infrastructure for CO₂ storage.
Richard Lowe, director of energy consenting and development at Arup, said “We are delighted to be playing such a key role in the development of this transformative project, in which the UK National Wealth Fund has invested, and to build on our deep involvement from its earliest stages. Peak Cluster is working to secure a sustainable future for the UK cement and lime industry and act as a blueprint for similar developments across Europe and the rest of the world.”
John Egan, CEO of Peak Cluster, added “Peak Cluster is focused on securing a sustainable future for the cement and lime industry. Together with MNZ, the UK’s biggest carbon store, we will capture, transport and store CO₂ to help the industry thrive in a low-carbon future. This essential infrastructure will secure good jobs with good wages, produce sought-after low-carbon products here in Britain, grow the UK’s supply chain and skills base, secure private investment and lead the global low-carbon technology sector.”
