RWE, the UK’s leading electricity generator, has launched a public consultation exercise for its project to decarbonise Staythorpe Power Station near Newark, Nottinghamshire. The company proposes to retrofit the power plant with innovative carbon capture technology, enabling the capture of up to 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing around 800,000 petrol cars from the road.

Staythorpe Power Station has been operational since 2010, providing reliable power to millions of homes. The station uses natural gas to produce power. This process, although efficient, produces CO2 emissions. The proposed carbon capture technology will separate and capture these emissions, which will be transported and stored securely underground. If approved, construction could begin by the end of the decade and would take up to four years to complete.

Carbon capture would enable Staythorpe Power Station to provide decarbonised electricity, enough to power approximately 3.2 million homes. This project is part of RWE's broader goal to achieve net zero by 2040. RWE considers carbon capture and storage (CCS) to be a viable solution for delivering decarbonised, reliable, and dispatchable power, and is important for the UK's transition to a low carbon energy system.

RWE will be holding a public consultation on the proposals from Tuesday 4th February 2025 to Tuesday 18th March 2025, ending at 11:59 PM. The public can view the plans, learn more from the project team, and provide feedback during this period. The virtual exhibition can be viewed here - www.rwe.com/staythorpe.

RWE would like to invite the local community to attend one of its two in-person events at:

• Thursday 13th February, 1pm – 7.30pm at the Robin Hood Theatre, Church Lane, Averham, Newark, NG23 5RB.
• Saturday 1st March, 10am – 4pm at the Farndon Memorial Hall, Marsh Lane, Newark, NG24 3SZ.

In addition to the in-person events, the project team will also be hosting an online webinar on Tuesday 4th March, 7pm - 8pm – register at the Staythorpe webpage. Copies of the consultation brochure and feedback forms will be available at Newark-on-Trent Library and Southwell Library.

Dave Dyson, RWE’s Staythorpe Station Manager, expressed enthusiasm for the project: "Carbon capture technology presents an exciting opportunity for the Staythorpe plant, securing its place as a key low carbon UK power generator for the future. The project is at an early stage of development and we encourage the community to participate in the consultation process. The project could support the decarbonisation of the power sector, supporting security of supply and secure quality skilled jobs.”

Detailed information about the proposals and the methods for providing feedback can be found at the project website, or by contacting the project team via email at info@staythorpeccs.com or by phone 0808 303 7087, or FREEPOST RWE Decarbonisation.

RWE is developing the Staythorpe Carbon Capture project, alongside three other CCS initiatives located at its existing power stations in Pembroke and Great Yarmouth, in addition to a potential new-build generating plant in Stallingbrough, equipped with Carbon Capture technology. For information about RWE’s decarbonisation projects see here.