Spirit unveils major UK offshore carbon storage project

Centrica joint venture outlines plan to convert two Irish Sea gas fields into storage hub with potential to develop blue hydrogen cluster

Spirit Energy, a joint venture between UK energy company Centrica and German municipal utility Stadtwerke Muenchen, has unveiled a multi-billion-pound plan to convert two depleted gas fields in the Irish Sea off northwest England into one of the country’s largest carbon storage hubs. Spirit proposes to convert the South Morecambe and North Morecambe gas fields and the associated onshore Barrow terminals for potential storage of up to a gigaton of CO₂—equivalent to roughly three years’ worth of the UK’s current emissions. The project would target emitters across northwest England, south Wales and the Solent region in southern England. Its proximity to the Port of Barrow will also allow for CO