CMS Achieves Milestone in UK's Carbon Capture Projects

In a notable achievement for carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) in the UK, CMS, a leading law firm, has provided crucial counsel on two groundbreaking projects: Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power) and the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP). These projects represent the UK’s first fully integrated gas-fired power and carbon capture initiative. Scheduled to begin construction in 2025 and operational by 2028, both projects aim to significantly advance the country's CCUS capabilities. NZT Power, a joint venture between bp and Equinor, is part of the East Coast Cluster initiative, focusing on carbon capture. NEP, also a joint venture with TotalEnergies as a partner, involves the transportation and offshore storage of carbon dioxide and is governed by the new TRI regime under the Energy Act 2023. CMS's role encompassed advising on the regulatory framework, structuring the project to comply with the newly established CCUS Network Code, and facilitating private law contracts like the Dispatchable Power Agreement. The firm’s Energy & Climate Change team, led by Munir Hassan, coordinated efforts across multiple practice areas within CMS, reaffirming its expertise in energy transition technologies and regulatory regimes.