Minister visits VPI’s Immingham power site as UK accelerates plans for clean energy, energy security and a world‑leading carbon capture industry

Located in the UK’s most carbon intensive industrial cluster, VPI’s 1.2GW Immingham facility supplies electricity and steam essential for key industrial processes - including refining, sustainable aviation fuel production and manufacturing materials used in battery development. The site also has the capacity to generate power for up to 1.2 million homes. 

Through its Humber Zero programme, VPI plans to decarbonise operations by retrofitting carbon capture technology onto two of the plant’s three generating units. Once operational, the project is expected to capture up to 3.3 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, providing the scale required to make the Viking CCS transport and storage network commercially viable. 

Delivering the carbon capture plant would represent an investment of more than £1.5 billion by VPI, creating around 1,500 jobs during peak construction and numerous high value permanent roles once in operation. The project has completed front end engineering and design (FEED), secured the UK’s first environmental permit for post combustion capture technology, and received planning consent. 

Located just 50 miles from the Viking Store under the North Sea - where captured carbon will be transported and safely injected - VPI is seeking anchor emitter status for the Viking CCS transport and storage network. Viking CCS recently secured government backing through Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Comprehensive Spending Review. The cluster is projected to bring £13 billion of investment to the Humber region, support around 20,000 construction jobs at peak, and open new import revenue opportunities for the UK through carbon sequestration services via the Port of Immingham, situated next door to VPI. 

During the visit, Minister Shanks met VPI’s CEO, Jorge Pikunic, the site and Humber Zero teams, as well as apprentices and graduates preparing for careers in the UK’s evolving power sector. He also viewed the new generating capacity VPI has built to strengthen energy security - supporting peak demand, grid balancing and the integration of increasing offshore renewable generation. Following the tour the Minister convened a roundtable with industry leaders from across the region to discuss future opportunities in the Humber. 

Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, said: 

“This government is delivering first of a kind carbon capture projects in the UK, backed by £9.4 billion over this parliament – supporting thousands of jobs across the country and reigniting our industrial heartlands. 

“Immingham has the potential to play a vital role in Britain’s clean energy future. It’s clear from discussions with industry leaders and apprentices in North Lincolnshire that this community is passionate about building good, skilled local jobs through clean, homegrown energy.” 

Jorge Pikunic, Chief Executive of VPI, said: 

“Our Immingham site has long been central to the Humber’s industrial story. It is home to one of Europe’s largest combined heat and power plants, alongside two new peaking plants. Through Humber Zero, our carbon capture and storage project, it now has the potential to be among the first sites delivering low‑carbon, dispatchable power and steam, as one of the initial users of the Viking CCS transport and storage network, unlocking an abatement pathway for the region. 

“We welcome the Minister’s recognition of the vital role sites like Immingham play in strengthening the UK’s energy security, creating a credible pathway to low‑carbon power, and unlocking new opportunities for growth and jobs across the region.” 

Graeme Davies, Executive Vice President for CCS, Harbour Energy:   

“Viking CCS has the potential to transform the Humber into a world leading net zero industrial region, while supporting jobs and long-term economic growth. We welcome Minister Shanks’ visit to see the role our cluster partners are playing firsthand to unlock investment and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work to progress the project.”