NPA urged Exxon to be cautious over Solent CO₂ pipeline plan

A CARBON capture pipeline running through the New Forest would have “deincentivised” industries from reducing emissions at source, national park authority members said.

The comment was made in a letter to Exxon shortly before the firm announced it would be shelving plans for the pipe from Fawley to a subterranean aquifer under the Solent.

It would have either cut across the national park or under the Solent and across the Isle of Wight, if it had been approved.

At a recent NPA meeting, an officer told members he and his colleagues were “surprised” when Exxon announced it was shelving the proposal.

The officer said: “We got some really knowledgeable and informed feedback from members that we put into our response.

“Our detailed response was framed around national policy… that major development in sensitive landscapes should carefully consider alternatives and only be supported in exceptional circumstances.

“That would apply to all three [proposed pipeline routes] because they go through protected landscapes.”

The letter sent to Exxon said: “The [pipeline] technology is based on capturing carbon emissions, rather than reducing them at source, and the proposals at Fawley also involve importing carbon emissions.

“This prompts concerns that carbon capture and storage technology will act as a disincentive for companies to de-carbonise and will prolong the use and reliance on fossil fuels.”

The officer continued: “That was a view a number of members felt very strongly on.

“We did submit a response to the consultation but Exxon informed the NPA and other stakeholders and the public that they would not be progressing with their proposals.”

Members heard Exxon had concluded the pipeline was “not a competitive investment at this time”.

The officer continued: “We were notified of that decision effectively at the same time as the public announcement was made – perhaps a somewhat unexpected announcement given the amount of effort that had gone into our consultation process over the summer.”

Members heard the government is making a “significant investment” in carbon capture technology in the north of England, adding: “This does illustrate the government’s broad support for this technology, but to focus elsewhere in the country rather than here.”

NPA members agreed to note the letter and thanked officers for their work on the response.