FAQ

The Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline is a proposed onshore pipeline that would transport carbon dioxide produced by industrial projects in the Humber region to secure offshore storage under the North Sea.

The pipeline would be built between the Drax area in North Yorkshire and the coast north of Easington in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Parts of the pipeline would also run through North Lincolnshire. The pipeline itself would be underground but would also require a number of Above Ground Installations along with a Pump Facility.

Northern Endurance Partnership will be the carbon dioxide transportation and storage infrastructure provider for the East Coast Cluster and is leading the Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline project.

The East Coast Cluster, which serves the industrial powerhouse regions of Teesside and the Humber, has been selected as one of the first two carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) clusters to be taken forward by the UK Government. It includes a diverse mix of projects, including industrial carbon capture, low-carbon hydrogen production, negative emissions power, and power with carbon capture. These technologies are essential for the UK to meet its net zero targets; both regions would also benefit from an influx of green jobs, skills development and supply chain benefits.

By enabling the decarbonisation of a wide range of existing and proposed carbon capture projects, the Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline could help to protect thousands of existing jobs and create and support an average of 25,000 new jobs across Teesside and the Humber from 2030. The Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline has a vital role to play in the decarbonisation of the Humber industrial cluster, and towards the achievement of the UK’s 2050 net zero targets.

The proposed pipeline route runs from the Drax area to Easington, with spur lines to the Keadby, Croxton, Killingholme and Salt End areas as these were identified previously by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) as having potential carbon capture projects in their cluster sequencing process in August 2022.

Ultimately, the proposed pipeline corridor would accommodate connections to any potential carbon capture project directed by DESNZ. We anticipate that DESNZ will provide further guidance on the specific carbon capture projects which the pipeline should connect to, in due course.

Carbon Capture and Storage (known as CCS) is a process which captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and power generation and transports them to secure storage areas.

Several industrial sites in the Humber region are developing plans to capture their carbon dioxide emissions, and we anticipate other carbon capture projects are likely to come forward soon.

The Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline is an essential part of carbon capture and storage on the Humber and would provide the onshore infrastructure required to transport the carbon dioxide captured from industrial sites to secure storage.

The carbon dioxide would be permanently stored in geological formations under the North Sea (known as the Endurance and expansion stores). The offshore transportation infrastructure and storage facility is subject to a different consenting process.

Due to its scale, the Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline project is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008. This means that it will follow a different process to an ordinary planning application and require a Development Consent Order (DCO). NSIPs were introduced to streamline the consenting process for large infrastructure projects, and make the process fairer and faster for local communities and applicants.

Instead of applying to a local authority for planning permission, the application for the DCO will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and the final decision will be made by the relevant Secretary of State on behalf of the Government. Local councils and communities have a very important role in helping to inform the evolution of the plans through a process that is set out in the Planning Act 2008 and associated guidance.

Northern Endurance Partnership is committed to working directly with local communities to secure meaningful and long-term economic, social and environmental benefits in the local area.

This project will deliver a range of wider benefits including:

• Supporting existing industries will benefit from the opportunities to decarbonise by transporting carbon dioxide for safe storage.
• New local employment. As we move through the design and construction stages of this project, we will use local labour where possible.
• Benefits from project delivery. The project would help attract new investment and provide a supply chain boost, as well as putting the area at the forefront of the energy transition.
• Opportunities for education and skills development. We aim to work with local schools and colleges and help build knowledge across construction, environmental and associated disciplines.
• Local improvements. This includes improvements to the local road infrastructure, which we would deliver as part of this project.
• Archaeological and historical finds. Sharing the findings of our local surveys with the community.
• Environmental and ecological projects. We aim to leave a positive legacy and deliver enhancements. 
• Community Benefit Fund. We are considering a community benefit fund to benefit local and community initiatives. More details will be available as the project develops.

National Grid had previously consulted on proposals for its Humber Low Carbon Pipelines (HLCP) in 2022. The HLCP project is no longer progressing, and National Grid has since left the East Coast Cluster (ECC). The HLCP project proposed two pipelines – one for carbon capture and one for hydrogen, whereas the Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline is only proposing a carbon capture pipeline and associated infrastructure.

The Development Consent Order (DCO) process has therefore restarted, with the Northern Endurance Partnership now proposing the Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline (HCCP) project.

The proposed route corridor for the HCCP project is also different to what was previously proposed by National Grid, although there are similarities in some sections.

We are working closely with landowners and occupiers to plan and deliver this project. We will ensure all parties are kept as up to date as possible and we encourage landowners and their representatives to liaise with us regularly.

If you are a landowner with questions about how the proposed pipeline would affect your land, please get in touch with Dalcour Maclaren on 03330 918338 or via e-mail HCCP@dalcourmaclaren.com.

Once constructed, the pipeline would be protected by restrictions placed on the land over and immediately around it. This area is called the Easement corridor. We anticipate this will be approximately 12-19m wide. Beyond this there may also be specific restrictions, for example to restrict planting specific tree types within 10m of the pipeline.

Within the Easement corridor most general farming activities could continue but there would be some restrictions. We will be working closely with landowners to explain these details.

As part of our wider project commitments, we will also be working to deliver initiatives to enhance biodiversity. We are currently considering opportunities to enhance the local environment and to improve wildlife recovery, in line with the feedback we received at the statutory consultation. We will provide further details as the project progresses.

The draft Order Limits primarily run through agricultural land and are not routed through private gardens.

Where we need to undertake surveys, these will primarily be on agricultural land, and we will always work with landowners to seek access for surveys. There is also no intention to carry out surveys in private houses or gardens

Some surveys may be required in areas beyond the draft Order Limits for the purpose of gaining a greater understanding of local habitats and how they might be impacted by the project.

We have appointed Dalcour Maclaren as our land agent – they are a specialist property consultancy with experience in supporting developers of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. They have already been in touch with landowners along the anticipated pipeline route to explain the proposals, seek access for surveys and provide notification of the statutory consultation which ran in late 2025. From mid to late 2026 Dalcour Maclaren will be writing to landowners and their agents again and working with them to secure the land rights that would be needed if the scheme is consented. Working with landowners is an important part of this project and wherever possible, we would like to seek voluntary agreements to secure land.

As the Project continues to evolve, should your land be potentially impacted byeither construction or operation of the pipeline, you will already have been contacted by Dalcour Maclaren. If you believe you have a land interest but have not been contacted, please contact their dedicated team on: 03330 918 338 or via e-mail: HCCP@dalcourmaclaren.com

All the feedback from the statutory consultation is being carefully considered. A response to all the issues raised at statutory consultation will be provided in the Consultation Report which will be submitted when the Development Consent Order is submitted in early 2027.

Dalcour Maclaren will discuss with you any compensation that is due as a result of the surveys proposed on your land.

Where the pipeline affects private land, land rights will be sought for the affected areas. Landowners affected will be appropriately compensated.

Construction of the proposed pipeline is expected to begin in 2029, subject to being granted a Development Consent Order. Overall, the construction phase is anticipated to last up to 2032. However, we will be working on the pipeline in sections and works in most areas will be for a shorter duration.

The pipeline target depth is 1.2 metres cover (from the top of the pipeline) which is the current best practice depth for a buried pipeline. Normal farming practices will be able to continue over the pipeline following completion of installation.

Once constructed, the land over and immediately around the pipeline would be protected by restrictions known as an Easement. This area is called the Easement corridor.

Within the Easement corridor most general farming activities could continue but there would be some restrictions, as is standard for any buried pipeline. We will be working closely with landowners to explain these details.

We are committed to ensuring that the project minimises impacts on drainage systems and will reinstate field drains impacted by construction works.

We have appointed a specialist drainage contractor who is already working closely with landowners to ensure an effective solution is identified for all parties.

We will work closely with landowners to minimise disturbance. An Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan will be submitted with the DCO application and will provide commitments for best practice construction methods. An Agricultural Liaison Officer will also be on site during works to support both the Project and landowners.