Power and steam provider VPI has highlighted a transformative opportunity for the Humber region, as it moves forward with £1.5 billion carbon capture and storage (CCS) plans aimed at decarbonising heavy industry and ensuring the long-term sustainability of key energy infrastructure.
The company, which supports the Humber’s two major oil refineries and operates the combined heat and power plant at Immingham, says the project is investment-ready. It is expected to generate up to 1,500 jobs during peak construction and create high-value, long-term roles once operational.
Jorge Pikunic, CEO of VPI, described CCS as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to turn the Humber into a low-carbon industrial powerhouse. He stressed the importance of urgent action, stating, “If missed, it may not come again.”
VPI has requested government backing in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, urging to be designated as the anchor emitter for the Viking CCS project. This wider carbon capture network could unlock an additional 20,000 jobs, according to company estimates.
Pikunic added, “Over the past five years, public officials have worked tirelessly with industry to lay the groundwork for Viking CCS. Moving ahead with the next phase now would show how strategic, mission-driven governance can accelerate the green transformation of industrial hubs in a just, cost-effective, and impactful way.”
VPI emphasized that retrofitting CCS technology to its existing Immingham facility is significantly more cost-effective and resource-efficient than building a new plant from scratch.
The company believes that the Viking CCS project is crucial not only for preserving the future of its refineries but also for aligning the Humber with the UK’s net-zero targets, while strengthening local economies and supporting the energy transition.