Sustainable Northwich to host Peak Cluster pipeline info event

Peak Cluster is a pipeline designed to carry up to three million tonnes of CO2 a year from cement and lime factories in Derbyshire and Staffordshire to former gas fields in the Irish Sea.

Once there, the gas fields will be capped, potentially forever, meaning the CO2 will cause less harm to the environment as it will be locked inside porous  bedrock beneath the seabed.

Now, operators of Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant, currently being built in Griffiths Road, Rudheath, hope to take advantage of the pipeline to dispose of their planet-warming CO2. 

Artists impression of the Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant, which may be connected to the Peak Cluster pipeline (Image: Progressive Energy)

But if the Lostock plant's plan goes ahead, it will mean the 1-metre diameter pipeline, which will require a 30-metre-wide corridor of land when it is installed, will need to be routed close to the town. 

With this in mind, environmental community group, Sustainable Northwich, which explores ways to help the town transition to a carbon-free future, is holding a Peak Cluster pipeline info evening on Monday, April 22.

Green Party parliamentary candidate for Tatton, Nigel Hennerley, who is a member of Sustainable Northwich, said: “Climate change linked to CO2 is always in the headlines, and many businesses are looking for ways to reduce their emissions. 

Green Party parliamentary candidate, Nigel Hennerley (right), with Sustainable Northwich's Mark Sullivan (Image: Sustainability Northwich)

"This is especially true of big emitters such as cement and lime manufacturers, and waste-to-energy plants, like the one now being built here in Northwich.

"Carbon capture and storage is one of the ways we may be able to stop more CO2 from getting into the atmosphere, but as with any new technology, it needs to be proven to work.

“Like hydrogen, this is very challenging as fugitive emissions need to be prevented from escaping via pipelines, infrastructure, and capped wells."

The event is free to attend and will be held at The Venue community centre on Gadbrook Road in Rudheath, starting at 7pm.

Residents will gave a chance to put their questions to representatives from Peak Cluster, Progressive Energy, and the new Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant.

Nigel added: “This meeting will be a great opportunity to explore this potential new industry and consider the consequences."