UK’s First Full-Scale Energy-from-Waste Carbon Capture Plant

Cheshire plant to capture 350,000 tonnes of carbon annually

A full-scale carbon capture facility is being developed at Encyclis’s Protos Energy Recovery Facility near Ellesmere Port. The project has secured a Statement of Principles with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Operations are scheduled to begin in mid-2029.

The plant will capture between 350,000 and 370,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year. This makes it the UK’s first commercial-scale carbon capture facility attached to an energy-from-waste plant. Consequently, the project represents a significant step for a sector that handles residual waste unsuitable for reuse or recycling.

Captured carbon will travel through the planned HyNet pipeline network. The CO₂ will then be stored permanently in depleted gas fields beneath Liverpool Bay. This arrangement links the facility directly to the wider HyNet North West industrial decarbonisation cluster.

The underlying energy-from-waste plant will process up to 500,000 tonnes of residual waste annually. In addition, it will generate approximately 49.9 MW of baseload electricity. The carbon capture system will prevent a substantial portion of emissions from reaching the atmosphere.

How the technology addresses biogenic and fossil carbon

Energy-from-waste facilities burn mixed residual waste streams. These typically include both biogenic materials, such as food waste and wood, and fossil-based plastics. When carbon capture is applied, only emissions from biogenic sources can be classified as removals. Fossil-derived emissions still represent a reduction rather than removal.

This distinction matters for carbon accounting purposes. Biogenic carbon forms part of the natural carbon cycle. Capturing it removes CO₂ from the atmosphere that would otherwise return through decomposition. However, fossil carbon introduces new emissions. Preventing these from being released reduces overall emissions but does not constitute removal.

The specific proportion of biogenic versus fossil carbon in the Protos facility has not been publicly quantified. Nevertheless, the broader carbon accounting framework used across the energy-from-waste sector recognises this split. As a result, the facility’s total climate benefit will combine both removals and reductions.

This dual benefit gives energy-from-waste carbon capture a unique position among decarbonisation technologies. Essentially, the same infrastructure delivers two climate outcomes depending on the waste composition. The technology therefore offers more than simple emissions avoidance.

Sector emissions currently total 11 million tonnes per year

The UK’s energy-from-waste sector emits approximately 11 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, according to analysis cited by the Energy Institute. This makes the sector a material contributor to national emissions. Moreover, it represents a challenge for industries and local authorities that rely on residual waste processing.

A Baringa report commissioned for the sector argues that widespread carbon capture deployment could make energy-from-waste carbon negative by 2035. This projection depends on rapid rollout across existing and planned facilities. If achieved, the sector would shift from being a large emitter to a source of carbon removals.

The Protos project therefore serves as more than a single infrastructure development. It functions as an early test case for sector-wide decarbonisation. Furthermore, it will provide operational data and commercial insights that could inform future projects.

Several factors will determine whether this vision materialises. These include capital costs, operational reliability, policy support, and the availability of transport and storage infrastructure. However, the Protos facility will offer the first full-scale evidence of technical and commercial viability.

Ferrybridge pilot already testing capture technology

A second development is already underway in the same policy area. Enfinium has launched the UK’s first carbon capture pilot at an energy-from-waste facility in Ferrybridge. The pilot captures one tonne of CO₂ per day and will run for at least 12 months.

The Ferrybridge pilot operates at a much smaller scale than the proposed Protos facility. Nevertheless, it demonstrates that the sector is moving from design studies into real-world testing. This transition is important for building investor confidence and regulatory understanding.

Pilot projects like Ferrybridge allow operators to test equipment performance, refine processes, and identify operational challenges before committing to full-scale deployment. They also generate data that can inform cost estimates and technical standards. Consequently, the pilot complements the larger Protos development.

Together, these two projects represent different stages of technology maturation. The Ferrybridge pilot addresses technical questions at a manageable scale. Meanwhile, the Protos facility will test commercial delivery, integration with transport infrastructure, and long-term operational performance.

Essential facts about the Protos carbon capture project

• The facility will capture 350,000 to 370,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually from the Protos Energy Recovery Facility near Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.
• Operations are targeted to begin in mid-2029, subject to final negotiations with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
• Captured carbon will be transported through the HyNet pipeline network for permanent storage in depleted gas fields under Liverpool Bay.
• The underlying energy-from-waste plant will process up to 500,000 tonnes of residual waste per year and generate approximately 49.9 MW of electricity.
• The project forms part of the wider HyNet North West industrial decarbonisation cluster, linking it to broader regional infrastructure.
• Energy-from-waste carbon capture delivers both emissions reductions and removals, depending on whether the waste source is fossil-based or biogenic.
• The UK’s energy-from-waste sector currently emits around 11 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, making carbon capture a potentially significant decarbonisation pathway.

What this means for supply chains and tender requirements

Public sector procurement rules already require suppliers to demonstrate carbon reduction plans. The emergence of carbon capture in the energy-from-waste sector will likely influence how waste management contracts are evaluated. Authorities may begin to favour facilities with capture technology or clear plans to retrofit it.

For businesses that produce significant residual waste, the availability of carbon-neutral or carbon-negative disposal routes could become a competitive advantage. This is particularly relevant for manufacturers, retailers, and logistics operators who face scrutiny over Scope 3 emissions. Consequently, the choice of waste contractor may carry greater weight in sustainability reporting.

Supply chain emissions are increasingly scrutinised in tender processes. The ability to demonstrate that residual waste is managed with carbon capture could strengthen responses to procurement questions. Similarly, it may help businesses meet voluntary commitments or sector-specific targets.

The commercial viability of carbon capture at energy-from-waste facilities will depend on policy support and carbon pricing. If the technology proves cost-effective, it could become standard across the sector. However, if costs remain high, it may be limited to facilities with access to transport and storage infrastructure or specific policy incentives.

Our compliance support services help businesses navigate carbon reporting requirements and understand how waste management choices affect their emissions footprint. We also work with organisations preparing for PPN 06/21 procurement standards and related public sector obligations.

Businesses should monitor developments in carbon capture deployment closely. Those with significant waste streams may need to review contracts and engage with waste contractors about future options. Furthermore, understanding the distinction between emissions reductions and removals will become more important as reporting standards evolve.

Policy support and infrastructure dependencies

The Protos project relies on the HyNet pipeline network and associated storage infrastructure under Liverpool Bay. This connects the facility to a broader industrial cluster that includes hydrogen production, power generation, and manufacturing. The cluster approach spreads infrastructure costs across multiple users and creates economies of scale.

Policy support for carbon capture has expanded significantly in recent years. The UK government has committed to establishing carbon capture clusters and has allocated funding through various mechanisms. However, individual projects still require negotiated agreements, as evidenced by the Statement of Principles stage of the Protos development.

Final investment decisions for carbon capture projects often depend on revenue certainty. This can come from carbon pricing, direct subsidies, or contractual agreements with government. The timeline for the Protos facility suggests that these commercial terms are still being finalised.

Transport and storage infrastructure is a critical dependency for any carbon capture project. The availability of the HyNet pipeline is essential for the Protos facility. Without it, the captured CO₂ would need alternative transport methods, which could increase costs and reduce viability.

Businesses considering carbon capture should understand these infrastructure dependencies. Projects located near existing or planned transport networks have a clearer path to commercialisation. Those in other regions may face longer timelines or higher costs.

Implications for carbon accounting and reporting

Energy-from-waste facilities with carbon capture create complex accounting questions. The split between biogenic and fossil carbon determines how emissions are classified. This affects both company-level reporting and national greenhouse gas inventories.

For businesses, understanding this distinction matters when calculating Scope 3 emissions. Waste sent to a facility with carbon capture may result in lower reported emissions. If the waste is biogenic and capture is applied, it may even generate a removal credit depending on the accounting framework used.

Reporting standards are still evolving in this area. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO standards provide guidance, but practical application varies. Businesses should ensure their carbon accounting systems can accommodate these nuances. Additionally, they should verify how waste contractors measure and report captured emissions.

The move towards carbon-negative waste processing could create new opportunities for businesses with biogenic waste streams. Food manufacturers, agricultural businesses, and forestry operations may benefit most. However, realising this value depends on clear accounting rules and verification systems.

Training on carbon accounting and reporting is available through our SBS Academy, which covers Scope 3 emissions, waste-related reporting, and emerging technologies like carbon capture. We also provide hands-on support for businesses preparing carbon reduction plans and working towards net-zero commitments.

Where to find further information

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provides updates on carbon capture policy and funding programmes through its official website. This includes information on industrial decarbonisation clusters and the broader net-zero strategy.

HyNet North West publishes details about pipeline infrastructure, storage capacity, and connected projects on its project website. This resource is useful for understanding the regional context and future expansion plans.

The Energy Institute offers research and analysis on energy-from-waste emissions and decarbonisation pathways. Its publications provide sector-level data and technical insights that complement project-specific announcements.

Businesses seeking guidance on carbon reporting and waste management should consult the UK government’s greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors, which are updated annually and include specific factors for waste treatment methods.