According to Wood Mackenzie the planned global carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) capacity pipeline has reached 905 million tons per annum, with more than 50 new projects announced this quarter.
According to analysts, the US Inflation Reduction Act bill is set to boost CCUS uptake, but more is needed to meet net-zero goals by 2050.
Lucy King, senior research analyst and author of the CCUS Market Update for Q2 2022 report, said: “Despite continued momentum in the CCUS pipeline, much more progress is required to meet 2050 greenhouse gas targets. Currently, the CCUS capacity pipeline is close to aligning with Wood Mackenzie’s 1.5-degree pathway to 2030, but it will need to grow seven-fold by 2050 to reach the capacity required for net zero.”
“The biggest challenge is the lack of embedded policy and regulation for CCUS projects. For most countries, the rate of growth and demand for CCUS is outpacing the respective government’s ability to legislate. Despite this, we expect 2022 to be a pivotal year for CCUS, with many countries formulating strategies, policies, and regulations to support its deployment.”
The US is a global leader in CCUS, supported by its 45Q tax credit incentive for carbon sequestration launched in 2008. On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law which will enhance and extend the 45Q tax incentive.
Ms King added: “The Inflation Reduction Act bill will further accelerate the US’ planned CCUS capacity pipeline, which is currently at almost 250 Mtpa. It will incentivize smaller-scale capture projects, attract more industries, and promote investment into technologies including Direct Air Capture.”
Great strides have also been made for licensing and permitting for geological CO2 storage throughout the second quarter of 2022. The industry has seen an increase in licensing activity in Norway, Russia, and Australia, with the UK launching the ‘first of its kind’ CO2 storage licensing round which consists of 13 areas across the North Sea.
North America and Europe continue to emerge as hotspots for CCUS activity, according to the latest Wood Mackenzie research. North America accounts for over two-thirds of current global capacity in 2022, with activity mainly focused on Alberta, the Gulf Coast, and the US Midwest.
Going forward, North America’s share of global CCUS capacity is expected to reduce by 2030 as hub projects across Europe scale up.
China and Southeast Asia are forecasted to have the biggest demand for CCUS in the 2040s, but this will require further regulatory and policy implementation, the analysts explained.
For more information visit www.woodmac.com
