The UK Carbon Capture Gamble: Is It Worth £22 Billion?

In this eye-opening podcast episode, we dive deep with Nick Hunn into the UK’s massive bet on carbon capture technology! Is the UK government putting all its eggs in one unproven basket?

What you’ll discover:

• Why carbon capture might be the “new fusion” – a promising but perpetually distant solution.
• Only 2% of carbon capture plants have performed as promised!
• Alternative energy solutions the UK could be investing in instead.
• How the race to net zero could impact UK energy prices and manufacturing.
• The critical skills gap threatening our green technology future.

Nick brings decades of industry insight to the conversation, comparing the UK’s push for net zero with more pragmatic approaches around the world. Whether you’re in building tech, energy policy, or just concerned about your future energy bills, this conversation is essential viewing! Don’t miss his final message of cautious optimism about the amazing engineering happening in the UK at the grassroots level!

The UK’s £22 Billion Carbon Capture Gamble! Summary

In this episode of “Shit You Wish Your Building Did,” we explore the UK government’s significant bet on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology as a centerpiece of its green energy policy.

Our guest, Nick Hun, draws compelling parallels between today’s carbon capture promises and the perpetually “just around the corner” nuclear fusion technology that has been promised since the 1950s. The conversation examines whether the UK’s £22 billion investment over the next 25 years in this largely unproven technology represents sound policy or a risky gamble with the nation’s energy future.

According to Nick, only approximately 2% of carbon capture plants worldwide have performed to specification, with the technology facing significant scaling challenges and often capturing much less carbon than anticipated when expanded.

The UK government has committed £22 billion to carbon capture and storage as a pathway to achieving its legally mandated net-zero target by 2050. Rather than requiring individual manufacturers to implement carbon capture technology, the strategy focuses on centralizing it in specific industrial areas. This approach allows carbon-intensive industries such as concrete, steel, and agriculture to continue operations while theoretically reducing emissions. However, the Commons Accounts Committee has raised serious concerns about committing billions to what remains an unproven technology.

Nick highlights what he terms “creative accounting” in carbon reduction strategies. This includes exporting carbon-intensive manufacturing overseas while importing the finished products, questions about whether biomass burning (like at Drax) is truly carbon neutral, and carbon capture being used more as a profit center through carbon trading rather than primarily for emissions reduction.

When asked about alternative approaches, Nick suggests small modular nuclear reactors as a potentially better investment. He discusses nuclear power’s persistent PR problem despite having one of the best safety records per terawatt generated.

Current regulatory assessments for nuclear plants take 4-5 years, ironically longer than it took to build the first UK reactor at Calder Hall. The conversation also explores issues with regional electricity pricing and the geographic mismatch between generation locations and usage centers, as well as grid stability concerns highlighted by recent blackouts in Spain.

The economic implications of these energy policies form a significant part of the discussion. Energy security and competitive pricing are critical for maintaining manufacturing in the UK, which represents 10-15% of GDP when including allied industries.

While green technology presents potential as a job creator, the sector faces critical skills shortages. Despite UK engineering and manufacturing jobs typically paying 10% more than non-manufacturing roles, there remains a significant challenge in attracting young people to engineering careers.

Looking forward, Nick expresses cautious optimism, highlighting exciting developments happening at the engineering level. Promising startups are receiving government funding, particularly around heat pump technology.

He emphasizes the need for pragmatic, cost-effective approaches that help homeowners, industry, and the economy rather than chasing politically motivated sound bites. Nick stresses the importance of allowing successful businesses to scale their innovations.

Nick concludes with an encouraging message, urging listeners not to be despondent about the challenges ahead. He points to the innovative work happening in UK engineering firms and startups, advocating for a pragmatic approach to energy transition that prioritizes effectiveness and economic viability over political expediency.

He encourages listeners to look beyond Westminster debates to the practical solutions being developed on the ground, where real progress in sustainable energy is taking place.