The UK’s North Sea Transition Authority and Crown Estate Scotland Collaborate on Energy and Carbon Storage

The UK’s North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) and Crown Estate Scotland (CES) have joined forces by signing a Statement of Intent (SoI) to align their efforts in the areas of energy and carbon storage in the North Sea.

Outlined in the agreement are common goals such as facilitating the co-location of technologies, supporting net-zero targets, and establishing a cohesive approach to seabed management.

“The SoI, which includes a pledge to advance net zero targets by promoting the sharing of space among different technologies, affirms the commitment of both organizations to fostering sustainable North Sea businesses through coordinated seabed management,” stated NSTA.

While operating under separate mandates, NSTA and CES will collaborate to bolster the decarbonization objectives of the UK and Scottish Governments. This includes simplifying leasing and licensing processes for carbon storage, driving the deployment of carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) in Scottish waters, and addressing coexistence challenges within marine industries.

The SoI establishes a framework for supporting harmonized seabed utilization, with the aim of unlocking the North Sea’s potential for various energy and storage solutions.

Data sharing plays a pivotal role in the agreement, with a focus on enhancing efficiency through platforms like the Marine Data Exchange and National Data Repository, as highlighted by NSTA.

In addition, NSTA and CES intend to collaborate through the Offshore Energy Digital Strategy Group to expedite the digitalization of offshore energy systems and promote data-driven decision-making. The organizations will work together to identify knowledge gaps, commission studies, and enhance digital capabilities.

Other areas of focus include infrastructure reuse, offshore platform electrification, and integration with offshore wind projects.

Notably, NSTA recently granted three carbon storage permits to Italy’s Eni for the HyNet CCS project in Liverpool Bay, enabling the establishment of a 109 million tonne CO2 storage system over the next 25 years.