The UK government partners with Jacobs for carbon capture management, committing £21.7bn over 25 years to projects in Teesside and Merseyside.
- This collaboration aims to foster low-carbon energy and hydrogen production, ensuring a sustainable energy future.
- Jacobs will oversee technical and strategic programme management, enhancing decarbonisation efforts in crucial sectors.
- The role of Jacobs extends to risk management and quality control, with a focus on energy transition solutions.
- Contracts span two years with potential extensions, reflecting a commitment to long-term environmental goals.
The UK government has engaged with the expertise of US consulting engineering firm Jacobs, outlining a strategic vision for carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). With an allocated budget of up to £21.7 billion over a 25-year period, the initiative is targeted at sites in Teesside and Merseyside. These regions are set to become pivotal in the UK’s drive towards low-carbon energy generation and large-scale hydrogen production.
Jacobs is tasked with the delivery of comprehensive technical project management and a suite of strategic advisory services, all within the remit of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ). The services extend to risk and quality management, emphasising the firm’s role as a linchpin in the energy transition landscape. This collaboration is seen as vital for harnessing CCUS as a fundamental catalyst in achieving broader decarbonisation and bolstering the UK’s energy security.
Furthermore, Jacobs, in conjunction with PA Consulting—a firm in which Jacobs holds a significant share—will provide end-to-end innovation, design, and analytics for the hydrogen and industrial carbon capture initiative. This multifaceted approach underscores the strategic and technical depth brought to the table, facilitating a robust framework for the programme’s success. Contracts are initially set for two years, with options to extend up to two additional one-year terms, demonstrating a flexible yet forward-thinking approach to achieving long-term objectives.
Kate Kenny, Jacobs’ senior vice president, remarked on the significance of CCUS in the broader decarbonisation strategy, stating, “CCUS is an important enabler to the diverse mix of cross-market decarbonization and energy transition solutions needed to meet net-zero ambitions and enhance the UK’s energy security for the future.” Her comments reinforce the critical nature of the role Jacobs is to play, integrating technical and strategic management expertise across critical energy systems.
This partnership signifies a critical step in the UK’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions through strategic collaboration.
