Thermal energy and carbon capture and storage

The Government has recently confirmed that energy generation through combustion of natural gas will play a significant part in the UK’s future energy mix. To meet the future energy gap, we will need a large number of these plants across the UK. The consenting process for new gas fired plants in England and Wales above 50MW will be conducted through the Planning Inspectorate as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). We are currently advising on two NSIPs and so we have a deep understanding of the consenting process.

Carbon capture and storage

The Government is still committed to the development of commercially viable carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. It is envisaged that this could be deployed on a gas or coal fired power plant to remove carbon emissions to the atmosphere thereby creating a ‘clean’ energy source. In 2010 Turley Associates provided planning, consultation and EIA support for the first application for DECC funding to develop CCS technology at the Longannet coal fired plant in Fife.