Projects
The next generation of energy and business
SEEL aims to be a key focal point for Sumitomo Corporation’s future interests in the development of hydrogen and other low carbon energy businesses, including CCUS, in the UK and beyond.
No one has all the answers about how the journey through energy transition will work. The technologies championed today have potential but will inevitably evolve over time. Our approach to project selection will be guided by a strong vision, but flexibility in terms of tactics.
In the medium-term there will be a considered focus on new energy and decarbonisation projects, leveraging Sumitomo Corporation’s interest across a broad spectrum of low carbon technologies; we are open-minded to creating partnerships in a range of opportunities.
The Bacton Energy Hub
SEEL recognise that the existing facilities, infrastructure and connectivity associated with the Bacton Gas Terminal provide an exceptional opportunity to form the basis of a sustainable low carbon energy hub.
SEEL led the Hydrogen Demand Special Interest Group (SIG) which was one of the five SIGs established by the NSTA to further understand what a low carbon future for Bacton will look like: Hydrogen Demand, Hydrogen Supply, Infrastructure, Regulatory and Supply Chain and Technology.Through a collaborative, multi-sector cross-industry approach, these SIGs worked together to help demonstrate that a credible project exists and to catalyse the formation of a consortium that will develop and execute a Bacton Energy Plan.
SEEL and Progressive Energy Limited (PEL) have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) relating to a CCS-Enabled Hydrogen Production Facility located in the vicinity of the Bacton gas terminals. The now-named Bacton Hydrogen Hub (bH2) aims to provide a significant contribution towards UK targets for the establishment of a sustainable hydrogen economy and decarbonization at local and regional scales.
In line with government targets the project will primarily focus on CCS-enabled hydrogen production, with succession planning for electrolytic green hydrogen. The scope for re-use and re-purposing of existing infrastructure will also be assessed. Initial work programmes will build on the contributing roles performed by SEEL, PEL and other core team industry experts in delivering the Bacton Energy Hub Special Interest Group (SIG) feasibility studies and business case on behalf of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). The project is expected to provide between 355 MW and 1GW of hydrogen production (dependent upon demand), by 2030.
Bacton Hydrogen Hub (bH2)
Bacton Thames Net Zero
Bacton Thames Net Zero (BTNZ) is an exciting initiative working towards the decarbonization of power generation and industrial processes across the Bacton and Thames regions. The Bacton gas terminals represent a nationally important natural gas landing point that currently handles approximately one-third of the UK's North Sea gas production. The Bacton terminal also hosts connection to the National Transmission System (NTS),and interconnector pipelines with NW Europe for the import and export of natural gas.
Working under a Collaboration Agreement, multiple significant entities are investigating the capturing and transportation of up to, and potentially exceeding, 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.The carbon dioxide will be transported for permanent sequestration in the Hewett depleted gas field which lies approximately 25 kilometres off the Norfolk coast and benefits from the experienced operatorship of Eni who are recognised as a leader in CCS in the UK.
SEEL’s CEO, Paul Lafferty, has this view as the project commences:
“Summit Energy Evolution, in collaboration with our parent company Sumitomo Corporation, have been pleased to lead the Hydrogen Supply SIG and we see Bacton as a key infrastructure play in the Energy Transition journey for the UK.
The study has identified a viable proposition which when linked with the CCS opportunities in the SNS could provide a significant contribution to the UK Governments’ aims for both the hydrogen economy, the East Anglia region, and CCS targets for 2030 and beyond. Sumitomo believe this is an outstanding initiative and we look forward to remaining involved as the opportunity develops.”