{"id":150326,"date":"2025-04-14T12:09:20","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=150326"},"modified":"2025-04-14T12:10:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:10:08","slug":"uks-first-carbon-capture-enabled-cement-works-secures-planning-permission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/energy-news\/uks-first-carbon-capture-enabled-cement-works-secures-planning-permission\/150326\/","title":{"rendered":"UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement works secures planning permission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Planning permission was received from the Welsh Government for the UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement works \u2013 five months ahead of schedule<\/h2>\n

RSK and Heidelberg Materials UK worked together on Padeswood carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in North Wales \u2013 the first carbon capture enabled cement works in the UK.<\/p>\n

Padeswood carbon capture and storage project, which will connect to the HyNet North West<\/a> project, aims to be the first net zero cement facility in the UK and an exemplar for the deployment of carbon capture technology at an existing cement works site.<\/p>\n

Once operational, it will capture and store approximately 800,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum, capturing up to 95% of CO2 emissions from the existing Padeswood cement kiln.<\/p>\n

The carbon capture project will create 500 jobs for local people and create new habitats for local amphibians<\/h3>\n

It is estimated that the project will create up to 500 additional jobs during the construction phase and will also create around 50 direct, long-term operational employment opportunities.<\/p>\n

The project also proposes the creation of four new ponds, nine hibernacula and 17 refugia (places where amphibians can rest during the day and escape from predators and the sun and, in winter, where they will hibernate).<\/p>\n

The planting of mixed deciduous woodland and the enhancement of grassland will cover an area of around 10.13 ha and will improve its value for great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) foraging and offer wider biodiversity benefits<\/a> for other protected species.<\/p>\n

Planning permission was received from the Welsh Government on 4 April 2025<\/h3>\n

RSK Environment Principal Environmental Consultant Harry Cross said the project is the furthest advanced carbon capture project at an operational cement works in the UK by some distance.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWe are proud to have achieved planning permission for this important and rewarding project that demonstrates the UK leading the way on deploying CCS in the cement industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur work here saw RSK Environment acting as environment, consents and permitting lead, including coordinating the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and project managing the development of national significance (DNS) application.<\/p>\n

“We were also able to draw on the skills and experience of 12 additional RSK Group businesses, including Joanna Berlyn from Stephenson Halliday as planning lead and Copper Consultancy as communications lead for the programme of community engagement and consultation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Copper Consultancy held eleven in-person and online community consultation events throught the pre-planning process.<\/p>\n

He said that throughout the programme, RSK Environment worked closely with the project front end engineering design (FEED) team, advising on design requirements for planning.<\/p>\n

Harry continued: \u201cOur collaboration continued as the EIA evolved and work on the environmental statement began in 2023 through to 2024. Nine environmental factor assessments were undertaken, including landscape and visual, biodiversity, climate and noise and vibration, to understand the impact of the project on the environment and propose mitigation and enhancements to offset the impacts. Findings were reported in the environmental statement. ”<\/p>\n

The combined RSK team compiled and submitted more than 100 documents as part of its contribution to the planning submission.<\/p>\n

The 13 businesses involved in the DNS application were:<\/h3>\n