Hynet Alliance said the project “stands ready to deliver lasting environmental and economic benefits.”
The Liverpool Bay carbon capture and storage (CCS) project will transport carbon dioxide from capture plants across the North West of England and North Wales to storage in Eni’s depleted natural gas reservoirs in the seabed under Liverpool Bay.
The project itself will see repurposing of part of the offshore platforms as well as 149km of onshore and offshore pipelines, and the construction of 35km of new pipelines to connect industrial emitters to the Liverpool Bay CCS network.
CCS is seen as one way to combat the impact of greenhouse gas emissions and tackle global warming and the process is currently used across the globe to extract more oil from underground.
However in February, Parliament’s public accounts committee chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said they were “left unconvinced that CCUS is the silver bullet Government is apparently betting on,” though praised steps the government had taken to learn from past failures.
Now the project faces a legal challenge after campaign group Hynot as they apply for judicial review.
They said the government “failed to properly assess the risk of major accidents, as well as the impacts on climate change.”
On March 17, Secretary of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero Ed Milliband gave the project the greenlight and the North Sea Transition Authority granted consent on April 22.
However Hynot argued the decisions weren’t made public until April 24.
They argue the scheme is “a false solution for climate change” and “could risk locking the UK into continued fossil fuel use.”
They say there were several flaws in the government’s approach, arguing it failed to “assess major accidents and disasters,” carry out lawful public engagement, work out the overall climate impact including on local wildlife, and comply with regulations.
The group is currently seeking to raise £30,000 to support this legal action supported by Leigh Day Solicitors but only £250 has been raised as of publication. They want the decisions thrown out.
Nicky Crosby from the HyNot campaign said: “HyNet North West make huge claims to be good for climate, jobs and the local economy. The HyNot group believe that the massive subsidies, from taxpayers and our future energy bills, mean it is only good for the fossil fuel companies involved.
“We think the project will leave us with risks around safety, a dependence on imported gas, weakened energy security, and a burning planet.”
It’s understood the Environment Agency, National Resources Wales, Natural England, and the Health and Safety Executive were asked for their opinion over the project alongside engagement with the public. Documents and permits are also available online.
David Parkin, Director of the HyNet Alliance, said: “The North West and North Wales have a proud heritage of industrial innovation.
“HyNet builds on that legacy by creating infrastructure which enables industries from cement production and bioenergy to power generation and new low-carbon technologies to capture carbon emissions and permanently store up to 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ beneath Liverpool Bay each year.
“This provides a vital pathway for industry to grow sustainably and thrive long into the future. HyNet is a catalyst for regional investment, unlocking future-focused careers, supporting local businesses, safeguarding existing jobs, and creating new opportunities across the North West and North Wales.
“We are confident that the Liverpool Bay CCS project has met all regulatory
requirements and stands ready to deliver lasting environmental and economic
benefits.”
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero declined to comment due to ongoing legal proceedings. Concerns have previously been raised about the project in Wirral Council meetings by representatives of Reform UK as well as Independent Conservative councillor Andrew Hodson.